What is tree testing?

Tree testing is a usability research method used to evaluate the findability of information within a website or app structure. Unlike card sorting, which helps create an initial information structure, tree testing evaluates whether a proposed hierarchy and its labels make sense to users by asking participants to navigate a simplified, text-based version of the site.

Why Use Tree Testing?

Evaluate content findability: Assess whether users can successfully locate information.
Identify navigation issues: Discover where users encounter confusion during navigation.
Validate site structure: Ensure categories and labels are clear and intuitive.
Optimize menu organization: Improve navigation clarity and overall usability.

How to Setup Tree Testing

In your unmoderated study builder, select + Add Task, then select Tree Testing
Once you have filled in the task details, fill in the Tree Structure you wish to be evaluated.
You can add sub-trees within each tree item.
In a typical tree test, participants are tasked to select the end-node where they expect to find information about a certain item.

Participants navigate through the hierarchy by selecting the category where they expect the information to be located.
The final selection represents the destination participants believe contains the requested information.

Examples

“Where would you go to update your account password?”
“Find the section where you can contact customer support.”
“Imagine you want to check the status of a recent purchase. Where would you find your order history?”
“Locate the settings for managing subscriptions or billing.”
“If you wanted to cancel your subscription, where would you expect to find that option?”