Forget Perfection: Why Users Scan, Satisfice, and Muddle Through Every Day

If you’ve ever watched someone use your website or app, you’ve seen it: they ignore half the page, skip instructions, and click the first button that seems promising. It’s not because they’re careless; it’s how all of us use digital tools when there’s too much information. The science calls it ‘satisficing’—we settle for the first workable solution rather than searching for the best one. This comes from Nobel Laureate Herbert Simon’s work, showing that optimizing every decision is impossible in real life (no one has the time or energy).

Instead, people scan—eyes darting across the page in search of what matters right now. Long explanations or clever navigation hide what’s useful and increase mistakes. It’s just how our brains are wired: keep moving, minimize effort, accept good enough.

It’s tempting as a creator to design for rational, careful, ideal users. But every behavioral study says most people are impatient, distracted, and want results quickly. When you honor that reality, your designs become more efficient and more generous.

Format your next homepage or document so someone can spot what they need at a glance—write bold section titles, break up long text, and put the most important links up front. Imagine a user who’s distracted or in a rush: will they find what they want in seconds? Assume they won’t read or poke around, so make the right choice stand out. Don’t spend too long perfecting every detail they’ll never notice; instead, build for the way real people act. Next time you launch something new, watch how fast people pick it up.