The Importance of Visibility of System Status and Microinteractions: A Real-Life Example

Have you ever clicked a button on an app or website and waited, unsure if anything actually happened? It’s frustrating. You start wondering: Did I click it properly? Should I click again? Is the system just slow?

This exact situation happened to me last week while traveling. I needed to share a Figma file, so I opened the Figma mobile app, selected the file, tapped “Copy Link”, and waited.

But nothing happened. No confirmation message. No checkmark. No microinteraction.

I wasn’t sure if the link had copied, so I tapped again—still no feedback. The only way to check was to paste it into a chat window. Only then did I confirm that the link had, in fact, been copied.

This lack of system feedback made a simple task unnecessarily frustrating. It also highlighted the importance of visibility of system status and how small but impactful microinteractions can enhance the user experience.

What Is Visibility of System Status in UX?

Definition

Visibility of system status is one of Jakob Nielsen’s 10 Usability Heuristics for User Interface Design. It states:

“The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate feedback within a reasonable time.”

This means that when users perform an action, they should immediately receive feedback that lets them know what happened.

When an action lacks visible feedback, users are left:

❌ Uncertain if their action was successful

❌ Repeating the action unnecessarily

❌ Losing trust in the system

In my case with Figma, there was no confirmation that the link had been copied. This lack of feedback violated the principle of visibility of system status, making the user experience confusing and inefficient.

How Microinteractions Solve This Issue

A simple microinteraction could have immediately reassured me that my action was successful. Instead of silence, the system could have given me visual feedback, such as:

✅ The Copy Link button briefly changing to a checkmark

✅ A small notification saying “Copied to clipboard”

✅ A subtle animation (like a fade-in, fade-out effect)

These small but effective responses are microinteractions, and they significantly improve usability.

What Are Microinteractions?

Definition

Microinteractions are small, functional animations or responses designed to provide feedback, guide users, or enhance user engagement. They exist in almost every digital product to ensure better usability and interaction clarity.

According to Dan Saffer, who coined the term microinteraction, these small interactions follow a four-part structure:

1. Trigger – The user initiates an action (e.g., tapping “Copy Link”).
2. Rules – The system determines what happens next.
3. Feedback – The system provides confirmation (e.g., a checkmark or pop-up message).
4. Loops & Modes – How the microinteraction continues or resets.

How Microinteractions Solve UX Issues

When an app lacks microinteractions, users can become frustrated and confused. In Figma’s case, adding a simple confirmation message when copying a link would:

✔ Reduce user uncertainty

✔ Prevent unnecessary repeated actions

✔ Improve user experience and efficiency

These tiny details might seem small, but they make a big difference in usability.

How the Lack of Feedback Affects Users

1. Causes Confusion

When an action is taken but there’s no response, users start doubting whether it worked. In my case, I wasn’t sure if the link copied, so I tapped the button multiple times.

2. Leads to Repetitive Actions

Since there was no feedback, I ended up copying the link multiple times, just to be sure. This is frustrating and inefficient.

3. Breaks User Flow

When users have to take extra steps (like pasting the link in a chat just to confirm it copied), it disrupts their workflow. A simple microinteraction could have prevented this unnecessary friction.

4. Reduces Trust in the App

When users can’t tell if their action worked, they lose confidence in the app. If this happens repeatedly, they may abandon the app for a competitor with better usability.

A Simple Fix: Adding Microinteractions for Better Feedback

The best part? Fixing this issue doesn’t require a massive redesign. Just a tiny UI improvement can make a big difference.

How Figma Could Improve This with Microinteractions

If Figma introduced a small feedback mechanism when users tap “Copy Link,” it would immediately enhance the experience. Some easy solutions include:

🔹 Visual Change – The button briefly changes to a checkmark.

🔹 Text Confirmation – A short message appears: “Copied!”

🔹 Subtle Animation – A quick fade-in, fade-out effect.

These microinteractions would eliminate uncertainty, improve usability, and reduce unnecessary repeated actions.

Great Examples of Microinteractions in Other Apps

Some apps handle system visibility brilliantly through well-designed microinteractions. Here are some great examples:

WhatsApp

• When you send a message, you instantly see checkmarks indicating its status: sent, delivered, and read.
• When you copy a message, a “Copied” tooltip appears.

Google Docs

• When you copy a link, a green pop-up notification appears, confirming the action.
• When editing, a small message appears: “All changes saved”, reassuring users their work is safe.

Apple iOS

• When you take a screenshot, a preview appears in the bottom corner.
• When you toggle a switch, you feel haptic feedback, reinforcing the action.

These small but effective microinteractions eliminate doubt, making the user experience seamless and intuitive.

Why Visibility of System Status and Microinteractions Matter

1. Improves Usability

When users receive instant feedback, they trust the system and can focus on their tasks without unnecessary interruptions.

2. Enhances Efficiency

Microinteractions prevent users from repeating actions or taking extra steps to confirm success.

3. Builds User Trust

Clear system feedback boosts confidence in the app, leading to higher user satisfaction and retention.

4. Creates a More Polished Experience

Apps that use microinteractions feel smoother, more intuitive, and professionally designed.

5. Reduces User Frustration

By eliminating confusion and inefficiency, microinteractions create a frustration-free experience.

Final Thoughts

Visibility of system status is not just a minor UX detail—it’s a core usability principle. As my experience with Figma showed, even small gaps in feedback can create frustration and inefficiency.

Fortunately, the solution is simple: microinteractions. A tiny checkmark, confirmation message, or animation can drastically improve user experience and eliminate uncertainty.

By ensuring clear visibility of system status, you create products that feel intuitive, trustworthy, and enjoyable to use.