Overview
The article discusses the development of In-Product Help at LinkedIn, which aims to improve member productivity by providing contextual assistance without requiring users to leave their current tasks. It highlights the challenges faced and the solutions implemented to integrate help content directly into the user experience.
What You'll Learn
1
How to leverage faceted search to enhance user experience in applications
2
Why contextual help improves productivity for users
3
How to implement an In-Product Help widget in frontend applications
Prerequisites & Requirements
- Understanding of frontend development frameworks like Ember or Dust
- Familiarity with TypeScript and its integration in web applications(optional)
Key Questions Answered
How does In-Product Help improve member productivity?
In-Product Help enhances member productivity by providing contextual assistance directly within the application, allowing users to access help content without interrupting their workflow. This is achieved through a widget that integrates help content based on the user's current context, such as the specific product or feature they are using.
What technology underpins the search functionality of In-Product Help?
The search functionality of In-Product Help is built on Galene, LinkedIn's Search-as-a-Service infrastructure. This allows for powerful, contextual searches that surface relevant help articles based on the user's current task and product context.
What are the future plans for In-Product Help integration?
Future plans for In-Product Help include extending the feature to other languages and native mobile platforms, as well as integrating it into other LinkedIn products like Recruiter and Sales Navigator. This aims to provide consistent help across the LinkedIn ecosystem.
Technologies & Tools
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Frontend
Typescript
Used to develop the client library and UI layer for the In-Product Help widget.
Backend
Galene
Provides the Search-as-a-Service infrastructure for contextual help searches.
Frontend
Ember
Framework used for the flagship desktop experience integration of In-Product Help.
Key Actionable Insights
1Integrate contextual help features into your applications to enhance user experience.By providing users with relevant help content based on their current tasks, you can reduce frustration and improve overall satisfaction with your application.
2Utilize faceted search to improve content discoverability in your applications.Faceted search allows users to find specific information quickly by filtering results based on various criteria, which can significantly enhance the usability of help systems.
3Consider implementing a drop-in widget for help features to streamline integration.A drop-in widget simplifies the process of adding help functionality to different applications, making it easier to maintain and update help content across platforms.
Common Pitfalls
1
Failing to provide contextual help can lead to user frustration and decreased productivity.
Users often seek assistance while engaged in tasks; if they have to navigate away from their current context to find help, it disrupts their workflow and can lead to dissatisfaction.
Related Concepts
User Experience Design
Contextual Help Systems
Search-as-a-service Architecture