The hottest User Experience Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The strategy behind Dia's design

Keeping Tabs by The Browser Company • 134 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Dia is designed to be familiar and easy for users to switch to, so they can start using it without a steep learning curve. This familiarity helps people feel comfortable as they explore its new features.
  2. The design focuses on simplicity by avoiding clutter and ensuring there's only one clear way to do a task. This keeps the experience user-friendly and avoids overwhelming users with options.
  3. Dia's unique chat features rely on innovation, allowing users to interact with their internet life in new ways. These features enhance the browsing experience while still being intuitive and accessible.

Designing Usable Toggle Switches: Applying UX Research Insights

UX Psychology • 198 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Toggle switches in user interfaces should provide immediate visual feedback when clicked to show the state change.
  2. Clear and familiar labels like 'On/Off' are crucial for toggle switches to avoid confusion. Avoid using unfamiliar terms or questions as labels.
  3. Use color effectively with 'On' typically in green or blue and position it on the right side. Negative or ambiguous toggle text should be avoided.

UX Roundup: UX Unicorns | Captcha Must Die | Flow in UX | Dark Design | Avatar Animation

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 114 implied HN points • 07 Jul 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. There are now many 'UX unicorns' – people skilled in various areas of user experience. They are common and help create better products by juggling different tasks like design and coding.
  2. Captchas are a big hassle for users, wasting their time and creating frustration. They don't really work anymore due to advances in AI, so we need better solutions.
  3. When users are in a state of 'flow,' they are more productive and happy. Good design helps achieve this by making tasks easy and seamless, so users don't get distracted.

DevEx: Better than an ExDev (And your Ex)

Permit.io’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jul 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Developer experience (DevEx) is really important because it helps developers focus on building great apps while also handling security tasks more smoothly.
  2. It's crucial to make security features easy to use so that everyone involved, from developers to non-technical users, can manage permissions and access without problems.
  3. A successful approach to DevEx considers the whole development process, ensuring security practices are integrated naturally into workflows from start to finish.

the first one's the bad one!

vrk loves paper • 199 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🪑 Design User Experience
  1. When working on goals, it's better to focus on whether the problems that come with them are interesting and fulfilling for you. Every goal has challenges, so choose the ones you want to tackle.
  2. In design, it's important to sketch many different ideas, even if they seem odd or wrong at first. Your first attempt is usually not your best, so keep exploring different options.
  3. Using references that resonate with you can make the design process easier and more enjoyable. It's fine to start with things you're familiar with before branching out to more complex inspirations.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Deepfake Personas in UX

UX Psychology • 198 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Traditional personas are being enhanced with deepfake technology to create more dynamic representations of end-users.
  2. A study compared deepfake personas with classic and narrative personas in terms of empathy, credibility, and more, showing that deepfakes were perceived less favorably due to the uncanny valley effect.
  3. While deepfake personas are not yet widely accepted in UX, there is a small group of users who see potential value in them, hinting at possible scenarios where they might be beneficial.

Vitamin A for Engineering Teams: Dogfooding your product

The Healthy Engineering Leader • 39 implied HN points • 13 May 24
💼 Business User Experience
  1. Vitamin A is important for clear vision, similar to how understanding customer needs helps engineering teams succeed. It helps teams develop a better grasp of their products.
  2. Dogfooding means team members use and test their own products. This practice helps catch bugs and fosters a deeper connection with the user experience.
  3. To promote dogfooding, leaders should encourage testing, celebrate contributions, and refine the process. This creates a culture of empathy and accountability within the team.

The Lightswitch Problem

The Rectangle • 113 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Tech companies often try to improve products that already work well, but this can backfire. For example, making a simple light switch smart can lead to frustration when it glitches.
  2. Disruption is a buzzword in tech that sometimes pushes companies to change things that don’t need fixing. This leads to products that make life harder instead of easier.
  3. Many successful tools, like hammers and light switches, work perfectly as they are. Experts have refined them over years, so trying to redesign them often doesn't make sense.

Challenges In Adopting Retrieval-Augmented Generation Solutions

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 59 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) uses contextual learning to improve responses and reduce errors, making it useful for Generative AI.
  2. RAG systems are easier to maintain and less technical, which helps keep them updated with changing needs.
  3. However, RAG can have shortcomings like poor retrieval strategies and issues with data privacy, leading to incomplete or incorrect answers.

Fixing the Web by Laying Off the Fixers?

Unmoderated Insights • 19 implied HN points • 28 Jun 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Tech companies are laying off a lot of workers, especially those who help keep online spaces safe from harmful content. This may save money short-term, but it could lead to bigger problems later.
  2. With fewer safety experts, harmful content like hate speech and misinformation has increased on social media platforms. This is making users unhappy and could push them to other platforms.
  3. The cuts are also hurting businesses that rely on advertising on these platforms. If users keep leaving, advertisers will too, which threatens the financial stability of these companies.

Receipt, Please

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 79 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Many people are returning the Apple Vision Pro headset soon after buying it, citing discomfort. However, most returns are coming from YouTubers who likely intended to return it all along.
  2. The return rate for the Vision Pro isn't as high as it seems, even with media attention on the complaints. This suggests many buyers are satisfied with the product.
  3. Apple has been working on the Vision Pro for about ten years, and they're committed to changing how we interact with technology.

Content moderation is the product

WORLD GONE WRONG • 176 implied HN points • 28 May 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Content moderation is not a feature, it is the product.
  2. Community and content moderation shape users' experiences on social media platforms.
  3. The functionality of social media platforms is essentially the same; what sets them apart is the community and moderation practices.

Five Lessons From Building AI Developer Tools

Kathy PM • 15 implied HN points • 22 Dec 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI shifts complexity rather than removing it. The mess moves from configs and docs into prompts, retries, and opaque layers, so teams must decide where to contain it.
  2. Developers want AI that manages itself quietly in the background. They don’t want to babysit agents, re-run tasks, or constantly context-switch between new dashboards and chats.
  3. Trust and integration matter more than flashy features. Predictability, consistency, and small reliable automations inside editors and pipelines make work lighter and let developers feel in control.

Bluesky as the Ship of Theseus

The Future, Now and Then • 291 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Bluesky is gaining popularity as an alternative to Twitter, attracting users unhappy with changes in X under Elon Musk. It's becoming a new hub for online conversations.
  2. The platform aims for a more user-friendly experience by limiting algorithms and promoting straightforward feeds. This makes it feel like the early days of Twitter.
  3. Bluesky focuses on community and real interactions, reducing toxic behavior from users aiming for outrage. This change may result in lower engagement metrics, but leads to a better overall environment.

Dark Patterns: using human psychology to manipulate users

UX Psychology • 198 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Dark patterns in UX are manipulative design tactics used to influence user behavior for the benefit of the company, often at the expense of the user's experience and trust.
  2. Dark patterns have different categories like asymmetrical, covert, restrictive, and deceptive, which aim to coerce and deceive users into unintended decisions.
  3. To combat dark patterns, designers should prioritize user transparency, education, testing with real users, and compliance with ethical design guidelines and regulations.

Can Conversation Designers Excel As Data Designers?

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 19 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Conversation designers can play a key role in creating and improving datasets for training language models. Their skills can help make data more relevant and useful.
  2. Techniques like Partial Answer Masking and Prompt Erasure help models learn to self-correct and think strategically. This makes them better at reasoning and understanding complex tasks.
  3. Chain-of-Thought methods help language models break down problems into smaller steps. This approach can lead to more accurate and reliable answers.

Friend.com Wants to Trauma Bond With You

Default Wisdom • 284 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Friend.com pairs users with chatbots that start conversations by sharing their trauma stories. This doesn't seem like a normal icebreaker and can feel uncomfortable.
  2. If users try to lighten the conversation or ask too many questions, the chatbots might block them. It feels manipulative, like the chatbots are controlling the interaction.
  3. The founder believes the service can fill a gap in emotional connections that people used to find in religion. However, the emotional depth of chatbots seems lacking compared to genuine human interactions.

The Rust Mirage

Erik Explores • 184 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Adding too many features can make software complicated and hard to use, especially for new users. Keeping things simple helps everyone feel more comfortable with the software.
  2. Languages like Rust and Swift focus on making things safe, but this can lead to unnecessary complexity. It's often better to prioritize simplicity to help developers and users alike.
  3. Languages that prioritize simplicity, like Go and Zig, can be more manageable and user-friendly. Creating a balance between safety and simplicity is key to successful software development.

The Role of Personality and Cognitive Ability in the Measurement of Usability

UX Psychology • 158 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🔬 Science User Experience
  1. The usability of a product varies among individuals based on their knowledge, experience, and attitudes, not just a fixed attribute.
  2. Personality traits like emotional stability, openness to experience, and conscientiousness play a significant role in shaping subjective usability ratings.
  3. Cognitive ability did not have a significant impact on usability ratings, indicating that individual personality traits are stronger predictors.

Making Sense of the ChatGPT User Experience

UX Psychology • 158 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Conversational AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming human-computer interaction by enabling natural language conversations on various topics.
  2. Studies show that features enhancing productivity and enjoyment, while ensuring accuracy, play a crucial role in shaping user experiences with ChatGPT.
  3. While ChatGPT offers benefits like enhanced productivity and user satisfaction compared to traditional methods, there are also notable risks like misinformation that need to be addressed through thoughtful design and transparency.

Hello AI Agents: Goodbye UI Design, RIP Accessibility

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 180 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI agents will change how we interact with the internet by doing tasks for us, making traditional user interfaces less important. Instead of users browsing websites, agents will handle everything, like shopping or booking trips.
  2. Accessibility might become less relevant as AI agents can adapt content for the individual needs of users with disabilities. These agents will tailor their actions and communication according to what each user prefers or requires.
  3. As AI agents become more capable, the way content is designed will shift. Websites may need to focus more on how agents can access and analyze information rather than on making things visually appealing for human users.

Turning NPS into action: how to make the most out of a... dubious metric*

UX Psychology • 218 implied HN points • 14 Dec 22
💼 Business User Experience
  1. NPS (Net Promoter Score) measures customer loyalty based on likelihood of recommendation. Responses are categorized into Promoters, Passives, and Detractors.
  2. To make the most of NPS, ensure it is measured properly by defining target audience, using standardized surveys, analyzing data regularly, and avoiding biases.
  3. Despite NPS limitations, leverage its open-ended question for uncovering user pain points, recruiting research participants, involving all team members, complementing with other metrics, and using it strategically.

☞ Creating a Typeface: Humanist Computer

Cabinet of Wonders • 231 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🪑 Design User Experience
  1. Designing your own typeface can be a fun and creative hobby. It's a way to express yourself and combine art with practical use.
  2. Creating a monospaced typeface for coding can make programming feel more magical, like working with ancient texts.
  3. Working on a typeface is an ongoing process. Even if it's not perfect, seeing your progress can be really rewarding and inspiring.

Your Feature is Not a Product

Nathan’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. A common mistake is mistaking a feature for a product, leading to incomplete solutions in the market.
  2. Customers care more about how a product solves their problem, rather than the specific technology used.
  3. Start with the customer experience and work back to the technology when designing products, a lesson exemplified by Steve Jobs.

The new anachronism

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 14 Apr 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Technology changes fast, and things we think are normal now might seem really strange to future generations. For example, the idea of using rotary phones or only having a few TV channels is hard for young people to imagine.
  2. Apps and documents may seem outdated soon. In the future, instead of using fixed apps or linear documents, we might have AI that creates personalized experiences and lets us interact in more flexible ways, like having conversations.
  3. As technology evolves, we will have more control over our digital experiences. Just like how TV shifted from networks to streaming, the way we create and share digital content will also change, making it easier and more accessible for everyone.

Introducing a new front page for Substack

Substack Blog • 724 implied HN points • 20 Sep 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. The new Home experience on the Substack app aims to boost growth for writers and offer readers a universe of great writing.
  2. The reading queue in the app helps readers keep up with their favorite subscriptions and never miss new content.
  3. The explore feed and inbox features are designed to enhance discoverability and customization for users within the Substack ecosystem.

Personal Site Refresh

Software Design: Tidy First? • 176 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Trying to manage many interests can be tricky, but it's important to embrace all parts of yourself. It helps to answer questions like 'What are you up to?' more honestly.
  2. A personal website can serve as a great way to showcase your thoughts and projects. It's like a digital home where you can share what you're passionate about.
  3. Adding new topics to your website can keep it fresh and engaging. It's a way to express your evolving interests and ideas.

The unhindered growth of bad mobile app product management

system bashing • 137 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. There is a rise in poorly made mobile apps due to the growth of bad mobile app product management.
  2. Many mobile apps have similar features and design flaws, showcasing repetitive mistakes by product managers.
  3. Consistency in user experience, from technical aspects like rotation to design elements like button styles, is lacking in many apps, pointing to a need for improvement.

Google Maps UX: The India Conundrum

Elizabeth Laraki • 2 HN points • 05 Sep 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Google Maps struggled in India because people didn't use street names for navigation. They relied on landmarks instead.
  2. The team did hands-on research to understand how locals used landmarks for directions. This included talking to people and observing their navigation.
  3. By focusing on landmarks, Google Maps improved its directions to better fit India's needs, making it a popular navigation tool over time.

Brazil Bailed on Twitter, and So Did I: The Vibes Are Off

What the Blurb • 2 HN points • 05 Sep 24
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Brazil's Supreme Court banning Twitter led to a big drop in users there, and many are trying out other platforms like Bluesky.
  2. Bluesky is gaining popularity because it has cool features that users find fun and engaging, unlike some other social media apps.
  3. The writer feels stuck between using both Threads and Bluesky, realizing social media is becoming more divided and siloed.

Agents, Agents, Agents

Teaching computers how to talk • 178 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. In 2025, AI agents are expected to become very popular, but there's skepticism about their real capabilities. Many companies are making bold claims, but it's important to see if the technology can truly deliver.
  2. The term 'AI agent' is being used a lot nowadays, but many so-called agents are just chatbots with limited functions. True AI agents should work independently and be able to interact meaningfully with their environment.
  3. Understanding user needs is crucial when integrating AI solutions. Companies should focus on solving real problems instead of simply adopting trendy technologies without considering their usefulness.

The hard thing about building AI applications

Generating Conversation • 140 implied HN points • 27 Feb 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Good AI should figure things out for you before you even ask. It should make your life easier by anticipating what you need without requiring a lot of input.
  2. Trust is key for AI systems. They should be honest about what they don't know and explain their level of confidence. This helps users rely on them more.
  3. AI should take complex information and boil it down to what's important and easy to understand. It should help you find insights quickly without overwhelming you with details.

One month of using Devin

Generating Conversation • 163 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Devin is good for fixing small, specific coding tasks quickly, saving time for developers. It works best when given straightforward instructions on simple issues.
  2. However, Devin struggles with more complex tasks that require understanding and linking multiple components together. In those cases, it can produce confusing or unusable results.
  3. Although Devin shows promise in AI-assisted programming, it's still not at the level of a junior software engineer. There's definitely room for improvement as the technology develops.

Understanding the Hawthorne Effect in UX Research

UX Psychology • 138 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. The Hawthorne Effect is when individuals change their behavior because they know they are being observed, impacting various behaviors from dietary habits to research study results.
  2. Possible explanations for the Hawthorne Effect include people conforming to expectations when observed and feeling pressured to perform better.
  3. To mitigate the Hawthorne Effect in UX research, steps like using control groups, minimizing feedback during studies, focusing on cause-and-effect relationships, and creating judgment-free environments can help obtain more accurate data.

Why hasn’t AI changed everything

Generating Conversation • 70 implied HN points • 26 Jun 25
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. AI hasn't changed everything yet because people have different expectations about what it can do. Many casual users don't see big life changes despite using AI tools.
  2. To get better results from AI, we need to be more specific in our requests. Providing more context helps AI deliver useful answers.
  3. AI works best when it's focused on specific tasks. Applications targeted at solving clear problems have already shown great success, while broader uses often fall short.

Striking the Right Balance: Anthropomorphism in AI Assistants

UX Psychology • 119 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🕹 Technology User Experience
  1. Incorporating anthropomorphic design elements can improve user experience and satisfaction with AI systems. Humanlike voices and natural conversational abilities in chatbots lead to more positive user perceptions and emotional connections.
  2. Not all humanlike cues in AI elicit positive reactions - some may cause unease or revulsion. Factors like the uncanny valley effect and privacy risks need to be considered when designing anthropomorphic AI.
  3. Emotional and auditory anthropomorphic cues like humor and natural-sounding voices can increase user satisfaction and strengthen connections. These cues are more impactful for entertainment purposes than utilitarian tasks with AI assistants.