Three-click rule

The three-click rule or three click rule is an unofficial web design rule concerning the design of website navigation. It suggests that a user of a website should be able to find any information with no more than three mouse clicks. It is based on the belief that users of a site will become frustrated and often leave if they cannot find the information within the three clicks. Although there is little analytical evidence that this is the case, it is a commonly held belief amongst designers that the three click rule is part of a good system of navigation. Critics of the rule suggest that the number of clicks is not as important as the success of the clicks. [ [http://www.uie.com/articles/three_click_rule/ Testing the Three-Click Rule] ]

In his book, "Taking Your Talent to the Web", Jeffrey Zeldman wrote that the Three-Click Rule is "based on the way people use the Web" and "the rule can help you create sites with intuitive, logical hierarchical structures". [cite book
last = Zeldman
first = Jeffery
authorlink = Jeffrey Zeldman
title = Taking Your Talent to the Web: Making the Transition from Graphic Design to Web Design
publisher = New Riders
date = 30 May 2001
pages = 448
isbn = 978-0735710733]

The UK government's business advice site Business Link advises the use of the rule as a 'best practice' in web design. [ [http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1075384976 Best practice in web design] ]

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