microcopy

Microcopy refers to the small bits of text that appear in user interfaces to help people complete tasks, understand errors, and navigate digital products. It includes button labels, form field hints, prompts, tooltips, error messages, notifications, onboarding copy, and other short phrases that guide behavior.

The primary goals of microcopy are clarity, guidance, and reassurance. Well-crafted microcopy reduces cognitive load, sets expectations, and improves task success by making actions obvious and outcomes predictable. It also conveys tone and brand personality, helping users feel understood and trusted. Accessibility and inclusivity are important, so plain language is preferred and jargon is avoided.

Design considerations for microcopy include context, user journey stage, and platform. It should be concise, actionable, and placed where users need guidance. Effective microcopy uses clear verbs, avoids ambiguity, and maintains consistency with a broader UX language. Localization and cultural differences must be accounted for, as word length and connotations vary across languages. Placeholder text should describe the required input, and error messages should be specific and actionable rather than vague.

In practice, microcopy is created as part of a broader UX writing process and often involves collaboration among product managers, designers, writers, and engineers. It benefits from style guides, tone and voice guidelines, and usability testing. Iteration and documentation are important to align copy with product goals and user needs.

Evaluation relies on user feedback, task success rates, and analytics. A/B testing and usability studies help identify phrases that improve completion rates, reduce errors, or lower support requests. Good microcopy tends to be noticeable mainly when it is effective, and conspicuously problematic when poorly written.