What is Card Sorting?

Card sorting is a user research technique that helps in shaping the information architecture of a website or application. It involves participants grouping and naming content items, which provides insights into how they perceive information and how it should be organized.

When to use Card Sorting?

Card sorting is particularly useful when designing or redesigning a website or application. It can be employed during the early stages of development to inform the structure of the content, or when evaluating existing information architecture to make improvements based on user feedback.

When not to use Card Sorting?

Card sorting may not be suitable when the content is highly specialized and users have little familiarity with it. Additionally, if there are clear guidelines or standards for content organization already established, card sorting might not provide significant value.

What is the anatomy of Card Sorting?

The anatomy of card sorting includes the preparation of cards (each representing a piece of content), selection of participants who represent the target audience, and the facilitation of the sorting activity. The results are then analyzed to reveal patterns in how users group and label content, which can inform the development of a more intuitive information architecture.