interactionfeedback

Interaction feedback refers to information provided to users about the results of their actions or the current state of a system during an interaction. It encompasses any sensory indication that a system has recognized a user action and is processing, performing, or has completed it. Feedback can be visual, auditory, or haptic, and it helps users understand outcomes, reduce uncertainty, and guide subsequent actions.

Common forms of interaction feedback include visual cues such as button state changes, color shifts, animations, and progress indicators; textual confirmations like toasts or messages; audible signals such as sounds or beeps; and tactile signals such as haptic feedback on touch devices. Effective feedback should be timely, clear, and appropriate to the action, providing enough information without overwhelming the user.

Timing and pacing are important considerations. Immediate feedback is typically expected for simple actions, while more complex tasks may benefit from progress indicators and estimated completion times. Delays should be accompanied by informative cues to avoid user frustration and uncertainty.

Design considerations include consistency, readability, and accessibility. Feedback should be perceivable by users with different abilities, requiring not only color changes but also text, shape, or motion cues. It should also be dismissible or persistent as appropriate, and avoid being disruptive or misleading.

In practice, feedback supports key usability goals such as learnability, error recovery, and user confidence. It is closely related to concepts like system status visibility and reduces cognitive load by confirming actions, guiding next steps, and signaling success or failure.