The hottest Usability Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Intent by Discovery: Designing the AI User Experience

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 56 implied HN points • 26 Mar 26
🪑 Design Usability
  1. AI shifts users from operators to supervisors, so interfaces must let people state outcomes, set constraints and permissions, and then clearly show what the system plans and why.
  2. UX needs a new stack and metrics: build an intent surface, an orchestration/audit layer, and a direct-manipulation fallback, and measure success by intent-capture, evaluability, and trust calibration rather than clicks or speed.
  3. The future is exploration not typing: support discovery by letting users navigate latent solution spaces with multimodal curation, spatial maps, Socratic questioning, and subtractive editing, while keeping users engaged to avoid cognitive atrophy.

UX Roundup: Year of the Horse | Creative Workflow | AI Coding | Usability Scaling | Was I Right or Wrong? | 30,000 Citations | Winning AI Video

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🪑 Design Usability
  1. AI is creating a new interaction paradigm where users express intentions and the system handles the rest, making interfaces faster and more transformative than old command-driven models.
  2. AI is reversing creative workflows and dominating coding: creators can start from polished final outputs and iterate, while AI now writes the bulk of code and massively amplifies developer productivity.
  3. AI’s usability skills are scaling quickly and already cover a growing portion of evaluation tasks, so UX work will shift to higher-level oversight and new roles as AI soon outperforms manual methods.

Bitcoin DeFi (Part 2) - Rootstock and Babylon Chain

DeFi Education • 359 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🔮 Crypto Usability
  1. Rootstock and Babylon Chain are important platforms in Bitcoin's decentralized finance (DeFi) space. They enhance usability and security for users dealing with Bitcoin.
  2. Layer 2 chains like Rootstock inherit security from the main Bitcoin network. This allows them to operate safely while expanding the functions available on Bitcoin.
  3. Understanding the potential of these DeFi platforms can help users make smarter investment choices. It's crucial for anyone interested in Bitcoin and DeFi to stay informed about these developments.

The Big Tough UX-AI Quiz

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 21 implied HN points • 05 Jan 26
🪑 Design Usability
  1. UX must change for AI: designers need patterns for long-running "Slow AI" work (resumption summaries, conceptual breadcrumbs, tiered notifications, salvage value) and must embrace generative, disposable UIs that are created on-the-fly for immediate user intent.
  2. Human roles and skills are shifting from pure craft to higher-level capacities: agency, judgment, and persuasion become key, with new hybrid roles like product engineers and forward-deployed engineers who integrate, oversee, and operationalize AI.
  3. Measurement and economics are in flux: AI introduces extra variance in A/B tests, creates a "measurement gap" for traditional metrics, and while AI is often cheaper and improving fast, teams must manage hallucinations, noisy evaluation, and calibrate human trust and vigilance.

Quiz Answers: What Happened in UX & AI in 2025?

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 08 Jan 26
🪑 Design Usability
  1. AI is shifting value away from routine craft toward human skills like agency, judgment, and persuasion; tools like vibe coding and generative UIs let people state intent while AI handles implementation.
  2. UX practice must evolve with new interaction patterns for AI: design for long-running "Slow AI" tasks (return recaps, conceptual breadcrumbs, tiered notifications), use prompt-augmentation interfaces (prompt builders, parametrization), and optimize content for AI citation (GEO).
  3. AI will reshape organizations and the economy by lowering transaction costs and flattening firms, displacing many routine knowledge jobs while creating new roles (super-users, auditors, FDEs) and exposing gaps in how we measure value and ROI.
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Inactive GUI Controls: Show, Disable, or Hide?

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 23 implied HN points • 13 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. There are three main ways to show inactive UI buttons: keep them active but provide an error message when clicked, display them as visibly disabled, or hide them completely. Each approach has its pros and cons.
  2. Most users prefer seeing inactive buttons with a muted color instead of gray. It helps them know the option exists and gives them some context about its availability.
  3. Hiding buttons can simplify the interface, but it might frustrate users if they don’t realize a feature exists. They might feel lost or think the option doesn't exist at all.

Top 10 UI Annoyances

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 48 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Usability annoyances can make users leave a website, hurting businesses. When users face too many issues, they want to quit, which can lead to lost sales.
  2. Common problems like pop-ups and auto-playing videos frustrate users. These distractions can spoil their experience and make them less likely to return.
  3. Design matters! Poor choices, like tiny buttons or hidden menus, can make it hard for users to navigate. Simple, clear designs improve user satisfaction and keep them engaged.

UX Roundup: Designers in Denial | 3 Levels of Corporate AI Use | AI Improves Medical Diagnosis | AI Math | Ideogram Character Consistency | Bad Study Methodology

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 40 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Many UX designers are not adapting to AI advancements, which is important for their roles. Designers need to embrace new technologies instead of resisting them to stay relevant.
  2. Companies will evolve into AI-native organizations, making teams more efficient. This shift will change job paths, emphasizing skills over traditional career ladders.
  3. As AI takes over many design tasks, human skills like agency and strategic thinking become essential. Designers must adapt to focus on guiding AI effectively instead of just executing technical tasks.

AI Storytelling: Aesthetic and Minimalist Design (Usability Heuristic 8)

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 36 implied HN points • 07 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Storytelling helps people remember information better than just facts. Our brains were built to process stories, so they're more persuasive and engaging.
  2. Using stories reduces the mental effort required to understand data. Instead of processing raw numbers, stories provide a structured way to think about information.
  3. Narrative formats create a more immersive experience. When people can relate to a story, they're more likely to connect with the information and remember it longer.

UX Roundup: Image Models Compared | Writing for the Web | AI vs. Human Cognition | E-Commerce Usability | Multimodal Music Models

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 9 implied HN points • 17 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. New image generation models like Microsoft's MAI-Image-1 and Grok Image 0.9 are being compared. Grok is currently outperforming Microsoft, showing that competition is important for improvement.
  2. When writing for the web, start with the most important information first. This 'inverted pyramid' style helps users quickly find what they need without wasting time.
  3. AI is increasingly being used in e-commerce and is leading to measurable increases in sales. However, improvements vary by the size of the seller, with smaller sellers benefiting more from AI.

UX Roundup: UX in the Street | AI Video | Infinite Scroll | Simplicity vs. Features | Logo as Coin | AI Blooper | Midjourney Animation

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 32 implied HN points • 23 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Infinite scrolling can create problems for users by making it hard for them to find what they need. It's often better to use pagination or a 'load more' button to give users more control.
  2. Adding too many features to a product can confuse users and make it harder for them to complete tasks. It's important to focus on simplicity and clarity in design.
  3. AI tools for video creation are improving, but they often still need better integration and usability. Users will have a better experience if they can create videos easily without complex prompts.

I love Google Maps' lists, they suck

The Rectangle • 141 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Creating lists on Google Maps can help you get to know a new place better.
  2. Google Maps lists could be improved with better organization features and social elements.
  3. Despite shortcomings, Google Maps lists can be both useful and frustrating at the same time.

How I Developed the 10 Usability Heuristics

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 75 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Jakob Nielsen's 10 usability heuristics were developed through factor analysis to explain a database of usability problems, with the final list chosen for its explanatory power.
  2. The initial heuristics in 1989 were based on opinion and teaching needs, while the refined 1994 list was derived through systematic research and factor analysis.
  3. The 10 heuristics have remained relevant for 30 years due to their grounding in fundamental mismatches between humans and machines, and their broad, general applicability across different user interfaces.

Standardized usability questionnaires: which one to use?

UX Psychology • 79 implied HN points • 16 Dec 21
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Standardized usability questionnaires have many advantages like objectivity, reliability, and validity.
  2. There are various post-test standardized usability questionnaires available, such as QUIS, SUMI, PSSUQ, SUS, and SUPR-Q, each with unique features and applications.
  3. Choosing the right questionnaire depends on factors like the nature of the project, stage of research, goals of the study, and budget limitations.

AI Hallucinations on the Decline

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 21 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. AI models are getting better at reducing false information, called hallucinations. This means they are less likely to make things up over time.
  2. Bigger AI models generally make fewer mistakes. As AI technology improves, we can expect even fewer errors from future models.
  3. While waiting for better AI, improving user experience can help users spot and double-check misleading information, making it easier to trust AI outputs.

Standardized usability questionnaires: post-task measures

UX Psychology • 59 implied HN points • 23 Dec 21
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Post-task questionnaires capture user impressions immediately after a task, offering insights into user experience.
  2. Popular post-task questionnaires include the After-Scenario Questionnaire (ASQ), Subjective Mental Effort Question (SMEQ), and Expectation ratings (ER), each providing valuable usability feedback.
  3. When conducting usability studies, using multiple post-task questionnaires, like ASQ and SEQ, is recommended for a better understanding of user perceptions.

AI Scaling Laws 4 & 5: More Engineers and Designers

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 17 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. AI will get smarter and better with more talented engineers and designers working on it. The more skilled people we have, the more breakthroughs we'll see in AI technology.
  2. Improving how people interact with AI is crucial. Making AI easier to use will greatly increase its value, so more effort should go into user experience and design.
  3. As AI technology advances, we will likely see more AI systems improving themselves, leading to rapid growth in AI capabilities and applications over the coming decades.

Claude Sonnet 3.7 Compared with Previous AI Models

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. The new AI model, Claude Sonnet 3.7, performs better than previous versions and outperforms other models, like Grok 3, in explaining key concepts like Jakob's Law.
  2. Jakob's Law highlights that users form their expectations based on their experiences with other websites. This means that following common design patterns is crucial for creating a user-friendly experience.
  3. Interactive demos created by AI can help users see how standard and non-standard designs affect usability, making it easier to understand the importance of sticking to familiar web conventions.

UX Roundup: Film Festival | AI Therapy | AI Radiology | AI Creative Writing | Grok 3

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 13 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. AI technology has made significant strides in creative fields, like filmmaking, showcasing impressive work at events such as the AI Film Festival. Artists are using AI to create stunning visuals and stories, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
  2. Research indicates that AI can perform on par with human therapists in couples therapy. Although AI therapy is cheaper and more accessible, many people still prefer human interaction due to trust and emotional connection.
  3. AI has demonstrated higher accuracy than human radiologists in medical diagnoses, particularly in breast cancer detection. This advancement has the potential to reduce workloads for doctors and improve early detection rates, highlighting AI's growing role in healthcare.

5-second tests: Measuring first impressions

UX Psychology • 39 implied HN points • 29 Nov 21
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. The 5-second test is a form of usability testing to measure users' first impressions of a design by showing them a fixed interface for a short time.
  2. Aesthetic elements influence users' first impressions, which form quickly within the first few seconds of viewing a design. Designers have a limited time to make a good first impression.
  3. The 5-second test is effective for assessing perceived usability and initial reactions to an interface, but it does not measure actual usability or comprehension of complex information.

Through Your User's Eyes

Tribal Knowledge • 19 implied HN points • 10 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. Users don't see products like creators do. They focus on the problem and need the solution to be presented clearly and function well.
  2. Understanding the technical capabilities of users is crucial. Intuitive design is key, as Apple exemplifies in their products.
  3. Building with user experience in mind is essential. Software should be intuitive, especially for everyday consumers, as clunky designs are no longer tolerated.

UX Roundup: ElevenLabs Podcast | Usability Guidelines as Figma Plugin | AI Kills Companies | o1 and o1 Pro

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 9 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. ElevenLabs has a new podcast feature called GenFM, but it feels less fun to listen to compared to Google's podcast version. While it's informative, it follows more of a Q&A style than a dynamic discussion.
  2. Baymard Institute's new Figma plugin offers usability guidelines for web design, making it easier for designers to access important research while they work. This should help create better websites more efficiently.
  3. AI is significantly disrupting companies like Chegg and Stack Overflow, leading to big drops in their business. As AI technology advances, we can expect more industries to feel its impact and change how they operate.

UX Roundup: AI in Mathematics | Mainstreaming Usability | Sparkles Emoji | Changing E-Commerce Guidelines | SFTechWeek Event

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 11 implied HN points • 14 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. AI is changing mathematics by making it easier for researchers to collaborate and generate ideas. This allows larger groups of mathematicians to work together efficiently using AI tools.
  2. Usability concepts like 'use cases' are now widely accepted beyond product design, showing that usability has become a common goal across different fields.
  3. The sparkles emoji has become a popular symbol for AI features in user interfaces, reflecting how people view AI as a magical technology that is becoming more mainstream.

UX Roundup: World Usability Day | Bits to Atoms | Doing vs. Learning | AI Denial

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 9 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Usability
  1. World Usability Day is on November 14, and it's a chance to appreciate good design. Instead of only pointing out bad usability, try to share something that has made your experience better.
  2. Humanoid robots like Tesla's Optimus could become a reality within the next 5 to 10 years. These robots are being designed to closely mimic human movements and may handle most physical work.
  3. AI can be a helpful learning tool, but the way you use it matters. Students learn better when AI acts as a teacher rather than doing the work for them, so it’s best to engage with AI for deeper learning.