Link colors guide a search

ABSTRACT

While much basic research exists on the effects of various visual properties on visual search, the application of such research to real-world tasks is lacking. The purpose of this research is to address the lack of empirical validation for design guidelines that affect visual search. One common design element used in Web interface design is link color. The general research question asked is how text color affects visual search. This research demonstrates, with reaction time and eye movement analysis, the dramatic but imperfect control a designer has on guiding the attention of users with text color. Experimental support for the differentiation of visited link colors is presented, along with analyses of the advantages provided by differentiating link colors.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Evaluation/methodology

Additional Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.2 User Interfaces (D.2.2, H.1.2, I.3.6)
          Subjects: Style guides
      H.5.4 Hypertext/Hypermedia
          Subjects: User issues

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Human Factors, Verification

Keywords:
eye tracking, hypertext links, visual search, web page design