People Don't Read Instructions

The article discusses the common issue of users not reading instructions, particularly in software and gaming contexts. The author, Cristian Buleandra, shares personal experiences of feeling overwhelmed by intrusive product tours and tutorials that dictate user actions rather than allowing exploration. He emphasizes that users often ignore warnings and prompts, leading to mistakes, such as losing unsaved game progress. Buleandra suggests that effective guidance should be integrated into the user experience without interrupting the flow. He advocates for a design approach where features are progressively revealed as users learn, rather than overwhelming them with information at once. This method allows users to discover functionalities organically, enhancing their understanding and engagement with the product. The article concludes that the key to effective user instruction is to guide users subtly rather than instructing them explicitly, as most people prefer to learn through exploration rather than reading instructions.

- Users often ignore instructions and warnings, leading to mistakes.

- Effective guidance should be integrated into the user experience without interruptions.

- Progressive revelation of features enhances user understanding and engagement.

- Users prefer to learn through exploration rather than explicit instructions.

- A cluttered interface can hinder user experience; simplicity is key.