microcopy
Tiny guiding words
Microcopy refers to the small bits of text scattered throughout digital interfaces—button labels, error messages, form instructions, confirmation prompts, and placeholder text.
Though brief, these fragments guide users through interactions and can significantly affect how people experience a website or app.
Good microcopy anticipates confusion, reduces friction, and often injects personality into otherwise utilitarian moments: Your password must contain at least one uppercase letter or No results found. Try a different search term.
Hover-activated explanatory popup
- placeholderTemporary position marker
- hintIndirect suggestion
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- confirmationEstablishing something as true
validation · prompt · onboarding · walkthrough · breadcrumb · warning · notification
Briefly and clearly stated
- scannableCapable of being read electronically
- readableEasy to understand
- understandableAble to be grasped
- briefShort in duration
succinct · digestible · accessible · simple · straightforward · jargon-free · user-friendly · intuitive
Showing kindness, warmth
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- humanHomo sapiens individual
- wittyCleverly humorous
- playfulInclined toward fun
approachable · empathetic · reassuring · encouraging · warm · casual · charming · whimsical
Urging audience response
- conversionAct of changing states
- urgencyPressing need for action
- CTAAction-urging element
- limited-timeHaving set expiration
exclusive · compelling · motivational · action-oriented · engagement · opt-in · upsell
tooltip
Hover-activated explanatory popup
- placeholderTemporary position marker
- hintIndirect suggestion
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
confirmation · validation · prompt · onboarding · walkthrough · breadcrumb · warning · notification
concise
Briefly and clearly stated
- scannableCapable of being read electronically
- readableEasy to understand
- understandableAble to be grasped
brief · succinct · digestible · accessible · simple · straightforward · jargon-free · user-friendly · intuitive · clear
friendly
Showing kindness, warmth
- conversationalRelating to informal dialogue
- humanHomo sapiens individual
- wittyCleverly humorous
playful · approachable · empathetic · reassuring · encouraging · warm · casual · charming · whimsical · humorous
call-to-action
Urging audience response
- conversionAct of changing states
- urgencyPressing need for action
- CTAAction-urging element
limited-time · exclusive · compelling · motivational · action-oriented · engagement · opt-in · upsell
button
Disc through a hole
- labelIdentifying attachment or marker
- navigationDetermining position and course
- tabProjection for gripping
toggle · dropdown · modal · dialog · banner · alert · toast · badge · caption · subtitle
- web contentblog post, article, video, listicle, image
- microcopyerror messages, placeholders, tooltips, labels, help text
- ad copyheadline, tagline, slogan, call to action, CTA