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Writer's pictureAnjanesh Sharma

Jakob's Law!

Updated: Oct 14, 2024


Users spend most of their time on other websites, leading them to prefer your site to function similarly to those they already know. This concept aligns with the Gestalt principle of past experiences, which states that people's previous interactions influence their perception of new things. In essence, don't change established patterns unnecessarily.

Key Points

  1. Users of similar products develop comparable expectations when using your product.

  2. Familiar interfaces allow users to focus on content or tasks without unnecessary obstacles.

  3. Jakob's Law is crucial in UX Design and directly relates to mental models.

  4. Mental models are cognitive frameworks we construct to understand reality.

  5. UX Designers can leverage this knowledge to adapt projects to users' mental models, offering the best user experience.

Practical Application

Consider popular e-commerce website home pages:

  • They share similar user interface elements.

  • Users instinctively know where to find categories, login buttons, cart sections, and search tabs.

If these elements were placed unconventionally (e.g., search tab in the footer), users might eventually locate everything, but they'd need to learn new patterns each time. This approach would lead to a poor user experience and potential product abandonment.



Key Takeaways

  1. Utilize existing mental models to create exceptional user experiences, allowing users to focus on tasks rather than learning new interfaces.

  2. Jakob's Law primarily applies to basic user flows. It's acceptable to deviate from norms when it benefits the user, but maintain consistency with your brand identity and goals.

  3. User expectations for product interfaces should evolve to favor improved user experiences.

Remember, while adhering to familiar patterns is important, balance this with your product's unique identity and specific goals. Strive for an evolving interface that prioritizes user experience while remaining true to your brand's vision.


Thankyou.

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