Context architecture applies information architecture principles to AI systems, helping agents interpret information and produce better, user aligned responses.
The LATCH framework organizes information based on location, alphabet, time, category, and hierarchy. This method helps transform complex datasets into meaningful structures, facilitating effective navigation.
Card sorting studies help understand how users naturally categorize information. This information can help with creating a product's information architecture (IA) that matches users' mental models.
In a card-sorting study, users organize topics into groups. Use this research method to create an information architecture that suits your users' expectations.
Information architecture is the practice of structuring and organizing content on your site. Sitemaps are visualization tools used predominantly for planning.
Vague call-to-action verbs, unnecessary parallel language, and conversational tone of voice used in links and navigation labels are confusing. Use labels with strong information scent instead.
Navigation, taxonomies, and the full IA structure are different ways of modeling a product's structure. We review the differences and similarities between these three different IA models.
Websites with many categories can benefit from showing navigation menu options in a vertical list: vertical menus allow for easy expansion, are easy to scan, plus users are familiar with this design pattern.
Segmenting a website's navigation by audience categories will often degrade usability, either because users belong in multiple categories, or because they feel the need to look at content targeted at several segments.
Polyhierarchy is used to place a single item in more than one IA category. This can support users with different mental models but should be used judiciously.
