selaamisen

Selaamisen is a Finnish term that denotes the act of moving through digital content by navigating what is displayed on a screen. It includes actions such as scrolling vertically or horizontally, swiping on touch devices, and jumping between sections or items within a webpage, application, e-book, or document. The concept covers both skimming and in-depth reading, as users seek information, entertainment, or context.

The word derives from the Finnish verb selata, which originally meant to leaf through or browse pages. Selaaminen, as a noun, describes the activity of browsing or scrolling in digital environments.

Users engage in selaaminen through a variety of input methods. Common methods include mouse wheels or touchpads for vertical scrolling, touch gestures on smartphones and tablets, and keyboard controls such as arrow keys and Page Up/Page Down. Some interfaces also employ pagination, anchor navigation, or continuous (infinite) scrolling to reveal more content as the user explores.

In interface design, selaaminen influences information architecture and content strategy. Designers consider how content is organized, how easily users can reach important information, and how scrolling behavior affects readability and engagement. Infinite scrolling, for example, can improve discovery in long feeds but may hinder reachability of specific items or precise backtracking.

Accessibility considerations are important in selaamisen. Interfaces should be navigable by keyboard, compatible with screen readers, and respectful of users’ motion sensitivity. Providing clear focus indicators, skip links, and options to limit motion can improve usability for diverse users.

See also: browsing, scrolling, user experience, accessibility.