Microcopy in UX: the power of words
In UX design, every detail counts. We often talk about information architecture, flows, user research, or visual design, but there is one element that connects directly with people: words. Specifically, those little phrases we see on buttons, forms, or pop-ups that although they may seem invisible, hold the experience together. We’re talking about microcopy.
In this article, we explore its evolution, impact, and application for improving interaction in digital interfaces.
What is microcopy?
Microcopy is the set of short texts that help users interact with a digital product. These are not decorative or “filler” texts, but key snippets that provide context, reduce uncertainty, and guide decisions. It’s a functional component of design.
For example, in one of our projects, we redesigned error messages in an onboarding process, changing a generic “Incorrect field” to something more useful like “Your phone number must have 9 digits.” A change that simple reduced abandoned forms by more than 30 %. It wasn’t magic, it was well-crafted, tested microcopy.
Where do we find microcopy in an interface?
It’s everywhere, even if it often goes unnoticed:
- Action buttons: “Save and continue”, “Watch later”, “Go to next step”.
- Error or validation messages: “This field cannot be empty”.
- Micro-instructions: “You can upload an image up to 5 MB”, “PDF files accepted”.
- Confirmations or warnings: “Your order has been placed successfully”, “We won’t share your data”.
- Progress indicators: “Step 2 of 4: Personal information”.
Besides helping users complete tasks, these texts build trust and reduce friction. They usually stay invisible, except when they fail. When they’re poorly written, the flow breaks. When they’re well written, everything feels easier.
Cognitive design and microcopy
From cognitive psychology we know that people look for clear cues to make quick decisions (usability heuristics). One of them, “user control and freedom,” is directly related to microcopy: users want to know what will happen if they click, what they can undo, and how to move forward.
The user’s mental model is critical. If the wording doesn’t match expectations — say, a button labeled “Finish” that actually opens a payment screen — the experience breaks.
That’s why we craft microcopy with criteria of:
- Readability: short, unambiguous sentences.
- Predictability: the text aligns with what will happen.
- Contextual relevance: it appears exactly when the user needs it.
Practical principles for working with microcopy
For microcopy to work, it must meet certain conditions. In our experience, we use three main pillars:
- Clarity: no complex phrases or ambiguous terms. We avoid unnecessary jargon and prefer wording anyone can understand — for instance, “I forgot my password” instead of “Credential recovery”.
- Conciseness: interface space is limited, but that doesn’t mean trimming at all costs. Being concise means saying only what’s necessary, with just the right words. “Delete account” works better than “Click here to proceed with the permanent deletion of the user profile”.
- Usefulness: the text must serve a purpose (anticipate a doubt, give context, validate an action). We always ask, Does this message answer a question the user might have? If not, it probably doesn’t belong.
To these three points we always add one more: tone of voice. Adapting the style to the product and its audience adds a distinctive touch. In a youth-oriented product, a relaxed tone may work better; in a medical-management interface, we aim for sobriety and precision.
What we keep in mind
When we work on a product’s microcopy, these are some things we consider:
- Anticipating doubts: including calming messages like “You can change your profile picture later” prevents users from getting stuck.
- Motivating with context: “This process won’t take more than 2 minutes” encourages completion.
- Building trust: “We will never share your personal data” conveys safety and transparency.
- Guiding naturally: instead of a generic “Submit,” using “Request access” clarifies what happens next.
What to avoid when writing microcopy
There are also things we try not to do. Some because they generate mistrust, others because they simply don’t help:
- Vague or ambiguous messages: “Something went wrong” says nothing. Better to be specific: “We couldn’t save your change. Please try again.”
- Confirmshaming: dark-pattern wording that manipulates or guilt-trips users. E.g., “No, I prefer to miss this great opportunity.” It sounds bad and can hurt brand perception.
- Exclusionary or complicated language: the clearer, more universal, and inclusive the message, the better the experience for everyone.
Testing microcopy is also design
As with everything in UX, what works in one interface may not work in another. That’s why we validate texts with users. A/B tests and moderated sessions show which phrases create better understanding or which wordings cause doubts. Tweaking a single word can measurably affect task-success rates.
Microcopy is invisible until something breaks. That’s why we give it the importance it deserves. It’s part of interaction design, emotional design, and the relationship between people and products. Beyond choosing the right words, it’s about understanding the moment, the need, and the emotion behind each click.
At Torresburriel Estudio, we treat it for what it is: another piece of UX design, just as critical as a wireframe or a user test.
This is a translation of the following article from our corporate website:
