User Experience for News Websites

Want more people to read your content? Simple formatting tips can help: 1. Use sentence case or lowercase. (ALL CAPS is harder to read.) 2. Use underlines and italics very sparingly. Underlined and italic text can be harder to read, especially for folks who are dyslexic. 3. Avoid overly decorative fonts. Those are harder to read. 4. Left Align - for paragraphs of content, left alignment is recommended. Centered alignment of a paragraph is harder to read because your eye has to find the start of the new line each time. 5. Avoid Justified alignment- It creates inconsistent gaps (sometimes called “rivers”). You may think it looks “nice” but it is difficult to read. 6. Line spacing: Single spacing is more difficult to read. Spacing of 1.5 can help make your content more accessible. Create breathing room :) 7. Contrast is needed - do not put light text on light background (like white on yellow) or a dark text on dark background. (Like black on dark purple). WebAIM's Contrast Checker is a free tool to tell you if you have enough color contrast in your documents, decks and graphics to meet accessibility guidelines. Simple things make a difference. 💬 Did you learn anything new? 💬 What would you add? This is your Minds of All Kinds tip of the week. 🧠✅ #Accessibility #CognitiveAccessibility #Neuroinclusion #MindsOfAllKinds [Image Description: An educational graphic showing the contrast between text in all caps and text in lowercase: Red X symbol. TEXT IN ALL CAPS IS HARDER TO READ. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S MORE THAN ONE WORD. Green checkmark: Sentence case is easier to read. At the bottom center is the Minds of All Kinds logo next to a speech bubble icon labeled TIPS.]

Research-backed accessible text checklist (beyond color & fonts) 1️⃣ Avoid ALL CAPS for long text Reading all caps slows people down by up to 10–20% because we recognize word shapes, not just letters. Uppercase removes those shapes, forcing letter-by-letter reading: https://lnkd.in/e7tCHxUD 👉 Keep all caps for short labels or acronyms only. 2️⃣ Keep an optimal line length Long lines make it hard for the eye to jump to the next line, while very short lines break reading rhythm. Based on classic readability research by Emil Ruder and later UX studies: https://lnkd.in/eJsTZT3w 👉 Aim for ~45–75 characters per line for comfortable reading. 3️⃣ Use generous line height Dense text increases cognitive load and reduces comprehension, especially for users with dyslexia. Recommended in Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (1.4.12 Text Spacing): https://lnkd.in/eam2Uqs5 👉 Use at least 1.4–1.6 line height for body text. 4️⃣ Don’t squeeze letters together Tight letter spacing makes words harder to parse, especially for users with visual or cognitive impairments. Supported by research from British Dyslexia Association: https://lnkd.in/eKc_2HPr 👉 Slightly increasing spacing (e.g., ~0.02–0.05em) can improve readability. 5️⃣ Avoid justified text blocks Perfectly aligned edges may look clean, but they create irregular spacing (“rivers of white”) that disrupt reading flow. 👉 Prefer left-aligned text for most content. 6️⃣ Give paragraphs room to breathe Large text blocks discourage reading and increase cognitive effort. 👉 Use spacing between paragraphs and keep them short (3–5 lines max). 7️⃣ Design for zoom and scaling Users should be able to zoom up to 200% without losing content or readability. 👉 Fixed heights and cramped layouts often break here. 8️⃣ Support scanning, not just reading Most users don’t read - they scan. Structured text helps them find what they need faster. Eye-tracking studies by Jakob Nielsen show “F-shaped” reading patterns: https://lnkd.in/etWrYsM7 👉 Use headings, lists, and clear content chunks. 9️⃣ Be careful with width and layout Very wide text blocks reduce focus, while overly narrow ones feel fragmented. 👉 Balance layout to guide the eye naturally across content. Small changes in spacing and structure can significantly improve comprehension, speed, and user comfort. What’s one text rule you wish more designers followed? #Accessibility #WebAccessibility #UX #InclusiveDesign #Readability

I've been an editor for 7 years now. And here’s a truth bomb: 99% of editing advice online is generic. “Check grammar.” “Shorten sentences.” “Take a break.” Yes, but can we dig deeper? Today, I'm revealing the most underrated, unspoken editing hacks. No gatekeeping here: → Zoom Out to 50%: Sounds weird? Try it. Reducing text size makes formatting issues obvious. You’ll spot uneven line lengths and clunky layouts instantly. → Voice Note Test: Record yourself reading your draft aloud. Listen back without reading along. Awkward wording stands out painfully clear. → 'So What?' Technique: After every paragraph, ask “So what?” If there's no clear purpose—rephrase or remove. Keeps writing tight, engaging, purposeful. → One-Screen Rule: Keep each subheading's content fitting one screen. Scrolling mid-section causes reader fatigue. Break it down—short and crisp is key. → Color-Code Edits: Highlight different issues with different colors: 1) Pink for weak words (really, very, stuff). 2) Blue for unclear ideas. 3) Yellow for repetitive points. Visual cues speed up final revisions drastically. → Find-and-Replace for Punctuation: Search your commas, semicolons, dashes. Do you overuse them? Replace some with periods to punch up readability. → The Font Swap: Change your font temporarily. Your brain sees text as 'new' content. Mistakes and awkward phrasings jump right out. → Reverse Outline: Summarize each paragraph in 3-4 words. Is there logical flow? If not, rearrange or rework ruthlessly. Editing is surgery (don't question me). These hacks transform good content into remarkable content. But hey, I'm always learning. What's your top editing secret nobody talks about? Share it below 👇

A simple pointer for accessible copy? Don’t write for a focused, well-rested person sat at a laptop. Write for the frazzled person who’s trying to read your email on her phone as she cooks a risotto while she joining a Zoom call. (In other words, write for skim readers.*) • Use short words. • Be literal - say exactly what you mean. • Replace adverbs with strong verbs. • Use short sentences (no more than 25 words). • Stick to one idea per paragraph. • Use meaningful headings and subheadings. • Use lists. That way, your copy will be easy to scan, easy to navigate, and easy to absorb. *Users typically read just 20% of a webpage’s content. So, again, this accessibility tip benefits everyone 😊 P.S. Tap here for a practical - mega-detailed - ADHD-friendly communication guide: https://lnkd.in/eWMTR__w

💡4 strategies for optimizing text content for better readability For most products, written language makes up about 95% of the content — which means making text readable is vital if you want to offer a great user experience. 1️⃣ Content layout & structure ✔ Use headings (H1, H2, and H3) to create individual sections and guide readers through them. ✔ Write short sentences: Aim for 15-20 words per sentence. ✔ Use bullet points & numbered lists: Bullet lists both help improve scannability and highlight key points. ✔ Add callouts/quotes: Use them to emphasize critical information. 2️⃣ Optimal character count per line Too long lines make it difficult to track lines, causing fatigue and reducing comprehension.  Too short lines force frequent line breaks, disrupting reading flow and causing frustration. ✔ 40-60 characters per line (CPL), including spaces, is generally ideal. ✔ Shorter lines (20-40 CPL) are preferable for mobile devices and narrow screens. ✔ Longer lines (75-100 CPL) can work for wide displays but may reduce readability. 3️⃣ Content flow  ✔ Use inverted pyramid style: Place the most important information at the top to maximize the chance users will see it.  ✔ Utilise common content scanning patterns (F-shape, Z-shape, Spotted): https://lnkd.in/dnAQ3aqF  ✔ First sentences of paragraphs should summarize the main point or create context. ✔ Ensure smooth transitions between sections and ideas. Individual sections should always feel like parts of a whole rather than a collection of individual pieces of information.  ✔ Write short paragraphs: Limit paragraphs to 3-4 sentences to prevent overwhelming readers. ✔ Break up text with relevant visuals. Paired with a good layout structure, it will help you avoid walls of text 4️⃣ Font & formatting ✔ Choose readable fonts: Choose sans-serif fonts for body text. Fonts like Open Sans or Roboto are easier to read on screens. ✔ Use 16px or larger for body text to improve legibility ✔ Align type to the baseline grid (i.e., 8px) ✔ Choose line height proportional to type size. Use 1.5x line spacing for web content to give text room to breathe. ✔ Keep paragraph spacing in the range between .75x and 1.25x of the type size. 🛠️ Tools to Improve Readability ✔ Hemingway Editor Check for complexity and highlight long sentences. https://hemingwayapp.com/ ✔ Readability Score Checkers Aim for a Flesch-Kincaid score that suits your audience (8th grade or lower for general audiences). https://lnkd.in/dzQijnYw 🖼️ Line length and text readability by Google (Material Design) #UI #uidesign #productdesign #design #uxdesign

Bad typography kills good design. That’s my biggest lesson after 10+ years designing. Here are 10 principles and tips that will instantly improve your work: 1/ Font styles Fonts carry emotion. Make sure your typography aligns with your brand’s tone. Whether you’re going for modern or playful, the right font sets the mood for the entire design. Pick ones that align with the brand story you're telling. 2/ Size & hierarchy Use 3-4 font sizes per section, maximum, to avoid overcrowding your design. Use a type scale to maintain consistency. Use headings that are minimum 2-3x your body text size. A clear hierarchy will guide readers through your content effortlessly. 3/ Font weight Font weight differentiates importance without adding visual clutter. Stick to 3-4 font steps in weight. Remember: reducing opacity also reduces perceived weight. Good rule of thumb: - headings: 600-700 - body: 400-500 - supporting text: 300-400 4/ Text contrast Create high contrast between text and background. Minimum WCAG AA: 4.5:1 for body text, 3:1 for large text. Run A11y plugin before you ship. Low contrast looks "modern" but kills readability. Accessibility should be a requirement, not a trend. 5/ Text alignment Typography alignment is key to readability and design flow. For non-Arabic countries, left-aligned text is easiest on the eyes. Center or right align sparingly for emphasis; avoid justified text unless spacing is perfect. 6/ Spacing Proper spacing makes or breaks readability: Line height: 1.5-1.7 for body, 1.1-1.3 for headings Leading: -1 to -2% for headings, 0% for body Paragraph spacing: 1.5-2x your line height Tight spacing feels cramped. Too loose feels disconnected. Find the right balance. 7/ Line Length Keep your paragraph length between 40 and 90 characters per line. For 16px body text, that's roughly 450-700px width depending on font. This range keeps readers engaged and makes content easy to scan. 8/ Don’t overdo it with fonts. Stick to 2 complementary fonts. Too many fonts can make your design feel chaotic. Keep it simple and let the fonts breathe. Limiting the number of fonts also makes your designs feel more thought-out and cohesive. 9/ Prioritize readability over style. Decorative fonts work for logos and short headlines. Don't use them for body text. Fonts need to look good, but most importantly, they must be clear and legible across all devices. Good design is always functional, not only aesthetic. Bad typography makes great content unreadable. Great typography makes content feel effortless. Master these fundamentals and your designs will immediately level up. Save this for your next project. As always, I hope this was helpful. Have an awesome day! 👋

A small update that can be made this week. Something that is often overlooked but makes all the difference… This is largely why it’s so comfortable for us to read and browse content on our phones, ipads or kindles. 🚀 The Secret to Readable Page Ever landed on a blog where the text stretches across the entire screen? Feels exhausting, right? That’s because readability matters. For optimal reading experience, paragraph text should be 50-75 characters per line (CPL)—which translates to a content width of 600-800 pixels on a blog. Why does this matter? ✅ Readability – Long lines make it harder for the eye to track the next line. ✅ Less Eye Fatigue – If text is too wide, your eyes work harder. ✅ Better Scanning – A well-structured text block helps readers skim easily. 💡 Pro tip: If your blog has full-width text, try setting a max width in CSS (max-width: 700px; margin: 0 auto;). Your readers will thank you!

When you see a post with long paragraphs and few line breaks... You're probably thinking: • I’m overwhelmed.  • This is too much info. • I don’t have time to read this. But when you see a post with short, structured sentences? • This is easy to read. • I can digest this quickly.  • I’m going to read the whole thing. There are many LinkedIn copywriting tactics worth diving into: → Hooks  → Rehooks → Short lists → Punchy close But the biggest takeaway is white space matters. When a post uses white space effectively and feels easy to digest: People stop, read the entire thing, and engage. Take this example of 2 similar posts from the same author. → A not-so-easy-to-read post = 51 engagements. → An easy-to-read post = 155 engagements. 3x the engagement, simply because it's easier to read. Want to improve your posts instantly? → One sentence at a time. → After each period, hit enter. → Give your audience breathing room. Try it in your next post. You’ll see the difference.

What makes a post easy to read Most people think readability comes from good writing. In reality, it comes from good structure. When someone opens a post on LinkedIn, they are not reading carefully at first. They are scanning. So the easier your post is to scan, the easier it becomes to read. A few things make a big difference. • Short sentences Long sentences slow readers down. Short ones keep the pace moving. • Clear spacing Breaking ideas into small paragraphs makes the post feel lighter. • One idea at a time When a paragraph tries to explain too much, readers lose track. • Simple words Complex language does not add value. Clarity does. When a post is easy to read, people stay longer. When they stay longer, they understand more. Good writing matters. But clear structure is what keeps people reading.

Stop Writing for Your Peers, Start Writing for Your Audience Ever wonder why some reports get "shelved" while others get "signed"? The secret often lies in a metric you probably already have access to: The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Originally developed for the U.S. Navy by J. Peter Kincaid and Rudolf Flesch to ensure technical manuals were actually usable, this formula measures two things: word length and sentence structure. Why should you care? ↳ The 8th Grade Gold Standard: The average adult in the U.S. reads at an 8th-grade level. If your score is a 12 or 14, you aren't "sounding smarter", you’re just creating friction. ↳ Conversion & Clarity: In marketing and finance, high scores (13+) correlate with lower engagement. Clearer text leads to faster decision-making. ↳ Regulatory Compliance: From healthcare (5th-grade goal) to insurance (9th-grade limit), readability isn't just a "nice-to-have"; in many industries, it’s the law. ⇰ The Pro Tip: You don’t need fancy software to check this. In Microsoft Word, go to File > Options > Proofing and check "Show readability statistics." The next time you run a spell check, you’ll see exactly where you stand. The Goal: Complex ideas, simple delivery. That’s where true thought leadership lives. #Readability #WritingTips #ExecutiveCommunication #FleschKincaid #ClearWriting