ReadMore

The ReadMore component allows users to expand and view additional content beyond a truncated version, providing a way to manage and display longer text or information.

Examples

Using the ReadMore component is a simple way to keep longer content from cluttering up your page, giving you more control over how much content is displayed to visitors.

Anatomy

When to use

Content Exceeding Display Limit: Use ReadMore when presenting content that is too long to display entirely on the initial view, preventing overwhelming users with excessive information.
Teaser Content: Employ ReadMore to show a concise preview of content, allowing users to access more details if they're interested.
Flexible Content Areas: When the amount of content can vary, ReadMore provides a flexible solution for accommodating different lengths.

When not to use

Short and Static Content: Avoid ReadMore for content that is already brief and doesn't require expansion.
Disruptive Reading Flow: In scenarios where users should consume content continuously without interruptions, opt for presenting the entire content upfront.
Inconsistent Usage: Ensure uniformity in the usage of ReadMore; avoid using it inconsistently across different sections or pages.

Alternative Components

Accordions: For organizing and presenting content in collapsible sections with headers.
Tabs: When content can be logically divided into distinct categories or sections.
Pagination: For navigating through lengthy content in a sequential manner.

Design Purpose

Space Efficiency: Ideal for conserving space on web pages without sacrificing content.
User Engagement: Encourages user interaction by allowing them to control how much content they view.
Content Management: Useful for articles, product descriptions, long lists, and more, where the full content might overwhelm the viewer initially.

User Experience

Expand/Collapse Interaction: Users can click to reveal more content or hide it, giving them control over their viewing experience.
Visual Cues: Caret icons indicate the expandable and collapsible nature of the content.
Smooth Transitions: Content expansion and collapse are designed to be smooth and not jarring to the user.

Usage Scenarios

Blogs and Articles: For long-form content where readers might prefer an overview before diving into the full article.
Product Descriptions: In e-commerce, where detailed descriptions can be initially hidden to not overwhelm the shopper.
FAQ Sections: For FAQs, allowing users to quickly scan through questions and expand only those they are interested in.

Use a smooth animation to expand content and drive user through reading.

Accessibility

Animation Considerations: If using animations to expand or collapse content, provide alternatives or ensure that they are accessible and don't cause discomfort for users with motion sensitivity.
Text Contrast: Maintain sufficient contrast between the text in the ReadMore link and its background to enhance readability, especially for users with visual impairments.

Resources

Nielsen Norman Group: Timing Guidelines for Exposing Hidden Content