Mystery meat navigation
Mystery Meat Navigation (MMN) is a term used in web design and usability studies to describe a type of website navigation system that is unnecessarily complicated or non-intuitive. This form of navigation often relies on users hovering over icons or images to discover what action will occur if they click, without providing clear text-based links or cues. The term "mystery meat" refers to the practice of hiding the content or function behind ambiguous visuals, making it difficult for users to navigate or understand the site's structure without trial and error.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Mystery Meat Navigation can be particularly frustrating for users, as it forces them to guess where links will take them. This can lead to a poor user experience, increased bounce rates, and decreased website usability. MMN is often criticized in the field of web development for prioritizing aesthetic design over functionality and accessibility.
Characteristics[edit | edit source]
- Ambiguous Icons: Use of non-standard icons that do not convey a clear purpose.
- Lack of Labels: Absence of text labels or descriptions for navigation elements.
- Hover-Dependent: Navigation that reveals itself only when the user hovers over certain areas of the site.
- Non-Standard Layouts: Unconventional layout designs that do not follow common web navigation practices.
Impact on Usability[edit | edit source]
MMN can significantly impact the usability of a website by:
- Confusing users and making it difficult for them to find what they are looking for.
- Slowing down navigation due to the need for users to explore and experiment with the interface.
- Excluding users who rely on assistive technologies or who cannot use a mouse to hover over elements.
Alternatives[edit | edit source]
To improve website navigation and usability, web designers are encouraged to:
- Use clear, descriptive labels for all links and buttons.
- Follow standard web conventions for layout and design.
- Ensure that navigation is accessible to all users, including those using keyboard navigation or screen readers.
Examples[edit | edit source]
While specific examples of Mystery Meat Navigation are not provided, many early 2000s websites and experimental art projects employed this technique, often prioritizing visual flair over user-friendly design.
See Also[edit | edit source]
 | This design-related article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
