18F
18F - Content Highlighter Testing
Content Highlighter Testing is a fast usability method. Users highlight text, marking clear parts in one color and confusing parts in another. This exercise takes about an hour. It quickly reveals readability issues, jargon, and conceptual gaps. Highlighting patterns are immediately visible. Clusters of confusion point to systemic problems. Isolated marks suggest terminology issues. Teams analyze the results. Then, they simplify content, define terms, and explain concepts better. This works for any text: documentation, error messages, onboarding, marketing, and legal disclosures.
Duration
1 hour
Group Size
8-12
Category
18F
Difficulty
Easy
Understand which words and phrases work. Clarify how to improve content.
Content highlighter test results. Clear understanding of content attention. Optimized content hierarchy.
I once tested content for pra.digital.gov. Two attorneys reviewed the rewritten content at the same time. We discussed legal terms and greatly improved clarity. Consider legal reviews if your content has legal implications. Content highlighter testing generally doesn't require PRA approval, but double-check for your specific use case.
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