#22377
Against Non-Standard Link Colors
User tasks are carried out faster and better with sites that use standard link colors as opposed to non-standard.
Bohmann, Kristoffer. Bohmann Usability (2000). Design>Web Design>Usability>Color
#22784
Change the Color of Visited Links
People get lost and move in circles when websites use the same link color for visited and new destinations. To reduce navigational confusion, select different colors for the two types of links.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2004). Design>Web Design>Usability>Color
#25405
The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effect of different web page text/background color combinations on users' retention and subjective perception. One hundred and thirty-six participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: black text on a white background (BW), white on black (WB), light blue on dark blue (B), or teal on black (TB). They then studied two Web pages, with a color combination consistent with their group assignment. One page contained information on the Neuron and the other consisted of information on a fictitious TV/DVD player. After studying each page they completed a quiz and survey. Analysis of the data indicated: a) Retention scores did not differ as a function of text/background color combinations; b) BW and B pages received the highest ratings for readability, and TB the lowest; c) B pages received the highest ratings for the aesthetic qualities; d) BW pages were perceived as most 'professional'; e) Subjective readability ratings significantly predicted retention; and f) Users view 'professionalism' as more strongly related to readability than aesthetics. Taken together, these results indicate that the relationship between font/background color combinations and outcomes is complex and often inconsistent with web guidelines posed by 'web gurus'.
Hall, Richard H. and Patrick Hanna. University of Missouri-Rolla (2003). Design>Web Design>Usability>Color
#23112
Guidelines for Visualizing Links
Textual links should be colored and underlined to achieve the best perceived affordance of clickability, though there are a few exceptions to these guidelines.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2004). Design>Web Design>Usability>Color
#22783
Guidelines for Visualizing Links
Textual links should be colored and underlined to achieve the best perceived affordance of clickability, though there are a few exceptions to these guidelines.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2004). Design>Web Design>Usability>Color
#23515
It seems that Jakob Nielsen is back grinding on one of his old organs with the current AlertBox and the tune is 'standard link colors improve usability'. No one can blame Jakob for recycling old material. My goodness, he has been publishing a weekly column for almost 10 years, things are bound to come around again and again.
Anderson, David J. UIdesign (2004). Design>Web Design>Usability>Color
#31908
Lists of links are an intermediate case between content-embedded links and menu items. Showing listed links in blue or in the site's main link color is the recommended design — and the one most intranets follow.
Nielsen, Jakob. Alertbox (2008). Articles>Web Design>Usability>Color
