ux-research checked
Nielsen Norman Group: Auto-Forwarding Carousels and Accordions Annoy Users and Reduce Visibility
Warns that carousels and accordions should change panels only when users ask, because auto-forwarding can interrupt reading, reduce visibility, and cause missed content.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carousel | Choose carousel when a small set of peer slides must share a constrained visual slot and users can move through them with explicit controls. | Previous and next controls change the current slide by one step or follow a clearly indicated wrap rule. | Supports avoiding auto-forwarding that interrupts reading or hides content before users ask. |
| Carousel auto-advance without pause | Flag the anti-pattern whenever visible carousel content changes automatically and a pause or stop control is missing, delayed, hidden, or unreachable before the moving content. | Pause or Stop rotation immediately freezes the visible slide, updates the motion state, and remains available for resume or restart. | NN/g supports avoiding auto-forwarding when it interrupts reading and hides content. |
Evidence Role
This source is treated as ux-research evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.
Publisher: Nielsen Norman Group. Last checked: .