A Sky Full of Magic Blog

So what is the theory behind Findability………..well it revolves around the idea of making information easily accessible to users.  So why does Findability matter? This is particularly important in today’s world, as we continue to enter and exist in the digital era. With substantial data landscapes such as the Internet and databases, without Findability, it could quite possibly be like searching for a needle in a haystack.  

The core principle of Findability Theory is enhancing the visibility and accessibility of information by implementing numerous strategies and technologies. Examples include optimising SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) algorithms, UI design, organising data in a structured and intuitive manner and implementing metadata tagging systems to categorise and index information so that users can efficiently locate the information they need, rather than having to sift through the vast data that is available. This improves user experience thus creating greater value from data resources.

A few consequences of bad findability include disengagement, we live in a fast-paced world, and if users are struggling to locate what they are looking for, this results in frustration which leads to a decrease in engagement of the site, this is particularly important if it’s a monetary website such as an e-commerce website or a website that has paid advertising. Another consequence includes reduced accessibility due to poor findability, if content is not properly tagged or organised, it may be inaccessible to certain users which leads to exclusion and possible discrimination.

So in summary Findability Theory raises awareness of the challenges posed by the abundance of information available in today’s digital age and continuously seeks ways to prevent them by improving and ensuring users locate the information efficiently and effectively.

(Userlytics, 2019)