Keep tooltip information available long enough to use

What to change

Ask the supplier to choose an appropriate help pattern and keep revealed information available during ordinary interaction.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A short explanation beside a form label stays available while the visitor moves over it and can be dismissed without changing the field answer.

How to check the result

Accept when the help is discoverable, readable and dismissible through the supported interaction routes without trapping focus.

A mistake to avoid

Packing essential instructions into hover-only help makes the form depend on an interaction many visitors cannot perform.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to recordReveal the tooltip and move the pointer slowly into its content. Check whether it remains visible long enough to read without precise positioning.Try the same help using keyboard focus and touch. Ask the supplier to provide a suitable alternative where hover does not exist.If the content includes interactive elements, test reaching them directly. Consider whether a deliberate expandable panel would better match the amount of information.

Evidence, open questions and decisionsNext action and responsible role

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