Emotional UX Audit Checklist

Emotional UX Audit Checklist

UX copy for the nervous system, not just functionality

Why This Matters

This checklist helps you bring warmth, accessibility, and emotional clarity into every corner of your product — without making things fluffy.

Good UX makes things work. Emotional UX makes things feel safe to use.

It's for founders, writers, designers, and PMs who care about how their product makes people feel — especially during moments of friction or vulnerability.

How to Use This Checklist

  • Choose one product flow at a time (onboarding, checkout, etc.)
  • Ask the questions in each section
  • Mark: Yes / Needs Work / Not Applicable
  • Prioritize: High / Medium / Low emotional impact

Audit Category 1 — Onboarding

  • Feels like a welcome, not a demand
  • Language is warm, clear, pressure-free
  • Acknowledges first-time vulnerability
  • Explains why info is being asked

Audit Category 2 — Forms & Inputs

  • Fields are clearly labeled and inclusive
  • Optional fields are labeled as such
  • Errors are gentle, human, and helpful
  • Instructions anticipate user confusion

Audit Category 3 — Navigation & Menus

  • Layout feels intuitive, even when stressed
  • Language is clear and jargon-free
  • Menu items use plain language
  • Filters and dropdowns make sense fast

Audit Category 4 — Error Handling

  • Messages are calming and actionable
  • Avoid shame or blaming the user
  • Clear next steps are provided
  • Tone is consistent across all errors

Audit Category 5 — Help & Support

  • Help content feels human, not robotic
  • Tone is kind and empowering
  • FAQs answer real questions
  • Support links are easy and obvious

Bonus Section — Gut Checks

  • Would people want to ask your product for help?
  • Do your words assume the best of the user?
  • Would someone in crisis feel safer, or overwhelmed?
  • Is there room for emotional 'mistakes'?

Prioritization Scale

  • High = Fix ASAP — this may cause user distress or confusion
  • Medium = Worth improving — adds ease or clarity
  • Low = Nice-to-have polish

Final Note

Compassion in UX isn’t extra. It’s foundational.

Use this checklist not as a pass/fail test, but as a way to stay connected to the humans on the other side of the screen.