Formatting for small screens and skimmers

Most messages are read on a phone, quickly; shape the message so its purpose survives a glance.

Phones don't hurt understanding, but attention is split

An older idea held that people understand much less on a phone. Nielsen Norman Group tested it again in 2016 and found no practical difference in comprehension between phone and computer, though difficult text was read a little more slowly on a phone. Their advice to keep mobile content brief still stands, because peo…

What helps a skimmer

Short paragraphs, one idea each.Lists for steps, options and anything the reader will tick off.Key information at the top, as the first lesson argued.Bold the one thing that mustn't be missed, and only that. Emphasis spread everywhere stops working.No ALL CAPS. It reads as shouting and is harder to read.

In a chat

Chat has its own shape. A long message can be several short ones, but don't send ten fragments that each trigger a notification. Two or three well-shaped messages beat both a wall and a stream.

The short version

Phones don't reduce comprehension, but attention on them is split.Short paragraphs, lists, and key information first.Bold one thing, never everything; avoid capitals.In chat, a few well-shaped messages beat a wall or a stream.

Try it in Kanvo

Kanvo messages support simple formatting: bullets, numbered lists and bold. Rewrite your next multi-part message as a short list, and check it on your phone before relying on it.

Sources

No practical difference in comprehension between phone and computer; difficult text read slightly more slowly on phones; keep mobile content brief because attention is often fragmented.