Progressive disclosure is a design technique used in user experience (UX) design to present information to users in a step-by-step, or incremental manner.

The goal of progressive disclosure is to minimize the amount of information displayed to users at any given time, reducing cognitive overload and increasing the usability of a product.

Key points of progressive disclosure

  1. Presenting information in a clear and organized manner: this helps to present information to users logically and understandably, allowing them to focus on one task or piece of information at a time. This can be achieved through techniques such as using clear headings and subheadings, grouping related information together, and using visual hierarchy to highlight important information.
  2. Hiding unnecessary or advanced features or options: Progressive disclosure allows designers to hide advanced or unnecessary features or options until they are needed, reducing cognitive overload for users. This can be achieved through techniques such as using accordions or drop-down menus to reveal additional information or options, or using a wizard or step-by-step process to guide users through a task.
  3. Providing access to more information or options as users progress: this allows designers to gradually introduce more information or options to users as they progress through a task or process. This helps users to build their understanding and knowledge of the product logically and incrementally.
  4. Minimizing cognitive overload: One of the main goals of progressive disclosure is to minimize the amount of information displayed to users at any given time, reducing cognitive overload and increasing the usability of the product. This can be achieved through techniques such as using clear and concise language, avoiding cluttered layouts, and using visual cues to help users understand and navigate the interface.

Benefits of progressive disclosure

  1. Improved usability and user satisfaction: Progressive disclosure helps to present information to users logically and understandably, improving the usability of the product and increasing user satisfaction. This can lead to increased engagement and loyalty from users, as they feel more in control and understand the product better.
  2. Increased efficiency: this allows users to focus on one task or piece of information at a time, reducing the amount of time and effort required to complete a task. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity for users, as they are not bogged down by unnecessary information.
  3. Enhanced user trust: Progressive disclosure helps to build trust with users by providing them with clear and organized information, and gradually introducing more advanced or complex features or options. This can lead to increased user trust and loyalty, as users feel more confident and comfortable using the product.
  4. Increased user engagement: this can help to increase user engagement by providing a sense of progress and accomplishment as users complete tasks or progress through a process. This can help to keep users motivated and engaged with the product.
  5. Reduced cognitive overload: Progressive disclosure helps to minimize the amount of information displayed to users at any given time, reducing cognitive overload and increasing the usability of the product. This can lead to improved user satisfaction and performance, as users are not overwhelmed with too much information.

Common misunderstandings of progressive disclosure

  1. That it is the same as hiding or removing information from users: this is not about withholding or removing information from users, but rather about presenting information logically and understandably. It is not about hiding or removing information, but rather about presenting it in a clear and organized manner.
  2. That it is only applicable to complex or advanced products: Progressive disclosure can be applied to any type of product or service, from simple apps to complex software systems. It is not limited to only advanced or complex products but can be applied to any type of user interface.
  3. That it is only applicable to online products: Progressive disclosure can be applied to any type of user interface, including physical products and in-person experiences. It is not limited to only online products but can be applied to any type of user interface that requires users to process and understand information.
  4. That it is only applicable to certain types of tasks or processes: this can be applied to any type of task or process, from simple tasks such as filling out a form to more complex processes such as configuring a system or setting up a new account. It is not limited to certain types of tasks or processes but can be applied to any situation where users need to process and understand information.

Examples of progressive disclosure

  1. Accordion menus: Accordion menus are a common example of progressive disclosure in UX design. They allow designers to hide additional information or options behind a clickable button or link, revealing the additional content when clicked. This helps to reduce cognitive overload by only presenting users with the information they need at any given time.
  2. Drop-down menus: Drop-down menus are another example of progressive disclosure, allowing designers to hide additional options or information behind a drop-down menu. This allows users to access additional options or information when needed, without overwhelming them with too much information at once.
  3. Wizard or step-by-step process: A wizard or step-by-step process is a common example of progressive disclosure, as it guides users through a task or process logically and incrementally. This can be particularly useful for complex or multi-step tasks, as it helps to break the process down into smaller, more manageable chunks.
  4. Collapsible sections: Collapsible sections are another example of progressive disclosure, allowing designers to hide additional information or options behind a clickable button or link. This helps to reduce cognitive overload by only presenting users with the information they need at any given time, and allows them to access additional information or options as needed.

If you want to know more about this topic, check out below links: