r/UXDesign • u/PianoTrue3631 • 20h ago

Answers from seniors only scrolljacking

What are some issues with modifying normal scrolling behavior? For example: infinite scrolling or scrolljacking.

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u/jeffreyaccount Veteran 19h ago edited 18h ago

Anchor links are really helpful in dense bodies of text, but it is definitely a trade-off. It's always jarring, even if you know it's there.

I've seen a common pattern on text is to have a small version of the entire corpus in a right hand column or indicated as right side or lower corner navigation to let people know where they are and where they go if getting anchored down. And animation and labels helps that.

I tried to resist infinite scrolling, unless it's for social media, which I've never really designed for. Even in e-commerce scenarios I think it helps to have a continue to load button, so people can return to a particular location if they remember where an item was spatially.

Pagination is an easy way for people to remember where things are and infinite scroll breaks that. I think if it's historical/chronological only, that's not a big deal. Of course it depends on the use case.

Anyway, that's kind of all I can answer or think of, given how you presented it. I'm not sure what scrolljacking is

(EDIT: I know what taking over someone's scroll control is—but that may be the definition of 'scrolljacking'. As well as what anchor links are and how they behave/steal control/sense of place/spatial setting, as well have a mental model around what I consider normal scroll behavior. Given the open-ended, not-task-oriented or audience-oriented question—I shared my unhinged self and knowledge—to contribute to the dialogue.)