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Software Engineering vocabulary · Web, Mobile and Interface Development

Microcopy

Meaning in software engineering, with examples

/ˈmaɪkroʊˌkɑːpi/nounCommon term

In software engineering, microcopy means: The short pieces of text in an interface, such as button labels, hints, error messages and confirmations, that guide users through a task.

In Turkish: mikro metin, arayüz metni

How it is used

Written by UX writers or content designers, often together with product designers. Small changes in microcopy can have a big effect on conversion and on the number of support tickets. The wider practice is called UX writing.

Example sentences

  1. The microcopy under the password field explains the rules before users make a mistake.

  2. Can you review the microcopy on the payment screen? It sounds too formal.

Common collocations

  • write microcopy
  • UX microcopy
  • button microcopy
  • helpful microcopy
  • error messageText that a program shows when something goes wrong, saying what failed and sometimes why, for example 'File not found' or 'Connection refused'.
  • call to actionA button, link or short message that asks users to take the next step, such as 'Sign up', 'Add to cart' or 'Start free trial'.
  • empty stateWhat a screen shows when there is no content yet, such as an empty inbox, a search with no results or a new account with no projects.
  • onboardingThe first screens a new user goes through after installing an app, which explain the main features, ask for permissions or help set up an account.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Web, Mobile and Interface Development

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