Writing for the Web Articles & Videos

  • AI Can Help Write an Article, but It Can’t Stand Behind It

    NN/G uses AI for clarity, formatting, and critique, but humans retain editorial judgment and responsibility for every article.

  • Using AI for UX Work: Study Guide

    Unsure where to start? Use this collection of links to our articles and videos to learn about the best ways to use artificial intelligence for UX work.

  • UX Writing: FAQs from Practitioners

    Get answers to frequently asked questions about UX writing from attendees of NN/G’s Writing Compelling Digital Copy course.

  • The 3 C’s of Informational Microcopy

    Well-written informational microcopy should be clear, concise, and have character.

  • The 3 I’s of Microcopy: Inform, Influence, and Interact

    Microcopy can have three different purposes: informing users, influencing them, and supporting their interaction.

  • UX Copy Sizes: Long, Short, and Micro

    Better target user needs by understanding the three sizes of copy: long-form, short-form, and microcopy.

  • Product-Specific GenAI Needs to Write for the Web

    Generative-AI outputs need to be concise, scannable, follow the inverted pyramid, and use plain language.

  • Alt Text: What to Write

    Images are decorative, functional, or informative. Skip alt text for decorative. Describe the action for functional. Convey the message for informative.

  • Alt Text: Not Always Needed

    Write alt text that communicates an image's purpose without repeating page content. Focus on meaning rather than visual description.

  • Explicitly State the Difference Between Options

    When the key differences between choices are implied or buried, users often select the wrong option or misunderstand the features.

  • Content Strategy vs. UX Writing

    Content strategy focuses on content-related processes, while UX writing shapes user experiences through text. The two disciplines work in harmony.

  • UX Writing: Study Guide

    Unsure where to start? Use this collection of links to our articles and videos to learn how to write information that aligns with users’ needs.

  • Content Standards in Design Systems

    Content standards in design systems support a holistically consistent user experience and efficient collaboration between writers, content, and UI designers.

  • ChatGPT and Tone: Avoid Sounding Like a Robot

    Including several tone words or an example in the prompt, as well as asking for multiple alternatives, are more likely to produce satisfactory output from AI.

  • 5 Formatting Techniques for Long-Form Content

    Techniques like summaries, bullet points, callouts, bolding, and helpful visuals improve comprehension and engagement with content exceeding 1,000 words.

  • Rewriting Digital Content for Brevity

    Writers always get the advice to be concise, but doing so is easier said than done. These tips and tricks help reduce your word count.

  • Challenges for Screen-Reader Users on Mobile

    Using a screen reader on mobile is challenging because users must access information sequentially and they cannot easily scan page content. Screen-reader users do not consider accessibility menus helpful.

  • Dealing with Technical or Professional Jargon

    Answer two questions to decide how to handle technical terminology in your writing: (1) How many readers will know this term? (2) How important is the term in your context?

  • Best Font for Online Reading: No Single Answer

    Among high-legibility fonts, a study found 35% difference in reading speeds between the best and the worst. People read 11% slower for every 20 years they age.

  • Content Inventory and Auditing 101

    A content inventory and audit are two important activities to complete before developing a strategy to improve your digital content. Conduct them together to set your content up for success.