Glossary
Tree testing
What is tree testing?
Tree testing is a usability method for checking whether people can find topics in a website's information architecture. Participants navigate a simplified hierarchy of text labels, without the full page design.
How it works
Give a task such as “Find where to apply for a parking permit.” Observe the chosen path, whether the expected destination is found, backtracking, and time taken.
The stripped-down tree helps focus on labels and organization. It also removes search, page content, and visual cues that can affect performance on the real site.
Example
A local authority could check whether people look for pothole reporting under Transportation or Public Works. The result may suggest clearer labels, a different location, or cross-links. Test the revised navigation in the full site too.
Why it matters
Tree testing can expose a mismatch between the site's categories and the reader's expectations.