Response Threshold or the Doherty Threshold is a user engagement goal that aims to maintain a maximum response time of 400 milliseconds, or 4/10ths of a second, when using a computer.
Way back in the late 1970s, Walter Doherty and Ahrvind Thadani conducted research that showed that consumers typically lose interest if an answer takes longer than 400 milliseconds to display. In simpler terms, if an app or website takes more than 4/10ths of a second to respond, the user may lose interest and move on to something else.
Doherty’s research further revealed that as response times increase, user productivity and engagement decrease. This 400 milliseconds rule has since become a standard in the web industry and is referred to as the Doherty Threshold.
Why is Response Threshold Important?
Whether you’re designing an app, website, or any other digital platform, the response time of your interface can make or break user engagement. In today’s fast-paced world, we expect applications to load quickly and respond instantly to our actions, and this is where the 400 milliseconds rule comes in.
Keeping response time within Doherty Threshold helps to keep users engaged, productive, and satisfied with your product. Exceeding this threshold can lead to frustration, decreased productivity, and a loss of interest on the user’s part.
FAQs
What is the Doherty Threshold?
The Doherty Threshold is a response time goal that aims to maintain a maximum response time of 400 milliseconds when using a computer.
Why is response threshold important?
Keeping response time within Doherty Threshold helps to keep users engaged, productive, and satisfied with your product. Exceeding this threshold can lead to frustration, decreased productivity, and a loss of interest on the user’s part.
Summary
The Doherty Threshold, also known as Response Threshold, is a user engagement goal that aims to maintain a maximum response time of 400 milliseconds or 4/10ths of a second when using a computer. Exceeding this threshold can cause frustration, decreased productivity, and a loss of interest on the user’s part, making response threshold an essential aspect of web design and development.
So, it’s crucial to make response time a priority when designing or developing apps, websites, or any digital platform, to keep users productive, engaged, and satisfied with your product.
