Microcopy
Also called UX copy, UX writing, interface copy
What is microcopy?
Microcopy is the short, functional text that helps people use a website, app or form: button labels, form field hints, error messages, confirmation notes, tooltips and the line under a signup button saying "No card needed". Each piece is only a few words, but together they decide whether people finish what they started.
Microcopy is part of UX writing, the wider practice of writing for interfaces. It focuses on clarity first and brand voice second. A friendly error message is nice; one that tells you exactly how to fix the problem is better.
In marketing, microcopy shows up on landing pages, checkout pages, email signup forms and call to action buttons, where small reassurances can remove the last bit of hesitation.
Why microcopy matters
People hesitate at the moment of commitment: entering an email, paying, signing up. Microcopy that answers the unspoken question ("Will I be spammed?", "Can I cancel?") right there reduces drop-off without changing anything else on the page.
It is also cheap to improve. Rewriting a button from "Submit" to "Get my free guide" takes a minute, and testing a few versions of key microcopy can lift conversion rate with no design work.
How to write microcopy
- Name buttons by what happens next ("Book my class"), not by the action ("Submit").
- Answer the obvious worry near the point of action: price, spam, cancellation, time.
- Write error messages that say what went wrong and how to fix it.
- Keep it short, plain and consistent in wording across the site.
- Read the flow out loud as if you were a first-time visitor.
Microcopy example
Button: Send me the stretch guide
Below button: One email a week. Unsubscribe in one click.
Error: That email is missing an @. Try again?Microcopy FAQ
What is an example of microcopy?
The "No credit card required" line under a free trial button, a password field hint like "At least 8 characters", or a confirmation that says "You’re in. Check your inbox for the guide."
Is microcopy the same as UX writing?
Microcopy is a part of UX writing. UX writing covers all the words in a product experience, including onboarding flows and empty states; microcopy usually refers to the smallest pieces.
Related terms
Copywriting is writing words meant to make people take an action: buy, sign up, click, book or remember a brand.
A call to action (CTA) tells people exactly what to do next, such as Shop now, Book a class or Save this post. It turns attention into action.
A landing page is a web page built for one goal, like a signup or booking, that visitors reach from an ad, post or email.
Conversion rate is the percentage of people who take a desired action, like buying or signing up, out of everyone who could have.
Objection handling is answering the doubts that stop people buying, such as price, trust or timing, before or when they come up.