What is Empty state?
An empty state is the screen a user sees when there is no content to display, typically on first use before data has been created, after items have been deleted, or when a search returns no results.
How it works
Empty states are critical onboarding moments that are often overlooked. A blank screen with no guidance is a dead end that communicates nothing. Effective empty states do three things: explain why there is nothing to see, provide a clear action to change that state, and optionally educate or motivate the user. Types include first-use empty states (no data yet), user-cleared states (all items processed), error states (content failed to load), and no-results states (search found nothing). Each type requires a different message and action.
Applied example
A project management tool shows new users a blank task board. Redesigning this empty state to include a ‘Create your first task’ button, a sample project template, and a brief explanation of how boards work increases the percentage of new users who create their first task from 40% to 72%.
Why it matters
Empty states are the first impression a product makes and the moment when user motivation is most fragile, making them disproportionately important relative to how little attention they typically receive.
