Modrinth: Bookmark & Follow From Search Results?

Creating collections on platforms like Modrinth can be a fantastic way to organize and curate your favorite mods. However, the process can sometimes feel a bit cumbersome. This article dives into a suggestion for improving the user experience on Modrinth by adding bookmark and follow buttons directly to search results, making it easier to manage your collections.

The Current Challenge: Navigating Multiple Pages

Currently, on Modrinth, if you want to add a mod to your collection or follow its updates, you typically need to click through to the mod's individual page. This can become tedious, especially when you're trying to add several mods at once. Imagine you're building a collection for a new Minecraft world and want to include a variety of mods – having to navigate to each mod page individually can take a significant amount of time and effort. This is where the suggestion of adding bookmark and follow buttons to the search results page comes in.

Having to navigate to a separate page for each action disrupts the flow of collection creation. Users are forced to switch contexts constantly, moving from the search results to a mod page and back again. This not only slows down the process but can also lead to a less enjoyable user experience. By streamlining this process, Modrinth can significantly improve user satisfaction and encourage more users to create and engage with collections.

The Proposed Solution: Streamlining Collection Creation

The core idea is simple yet powerful: integrate bookmark and follow buttons directly into the search results display. This would allow users to add mods to their collections or follow their updates with a single click, without ever leaving the search results page. This seemingly small change could have a significant impact on the overall user experience, making collection creation faster, more efficient, and more enjoyable.

Imagine browsing search results for mods, and next to each mod listing, you see familiar icons for bookmarking and following. A single click on the bookmark icon adds the mod to your desired collection, and a click on the follow icon ensures you'll receive updates about the mod. This streamlined approach eliminates the need to navigate to individual mod pages, saving users valuable time and effort. The user can remain on the search result page and continue to search and add/follow more mods. This will drastically increase the speed and efficiency for users to create and expand their collections.

Benefits of Implementing Bookmark/Follow Buttons

Implementing bookmark and follow buttons in search results offers numerous benefits:

• Increased Efficiency: The most significant advantage is the time saved. Users can quickly add multiple mods to collections or follow them without navigating individual pages.
• Improved User Experience: A smoother, more streamlined process leads to a more enjoyable user experience, encouraging users to create and manage collections.
• Enhanced Engagement: Making it easier to bookmark and follow mods can lead to increased user engagement with the platform and its content.
• Better Collection Management: Users are more likely to create and curate collections if the process is straightforward and efficient.
• Intuitive Design: The bookmark and follow icons are universally recognized, making the feature intuitive and easy to use.

Alternative Solutions and Considerations

While adding bookmark and follow buttons directly to search results seems like the most efficient solution, there are alternative approaches to consider. One option could be to implement a multi-select feature, allowing users to select multiple mods from the search results and then perform a bulk action, such as adding them all to a collection at once. However, this approach still requires an extra step compared to the single-click bookmark and follow buttons.

Another consideration is the visual design and placement of the buttons within the search results. It's crucial to ensure that the buttons are easily visible and accessible without cluttering the interface. Clear visual cues and tooltips can help users understand the functionality of the buttons.

Potential Design Considerations

When implementing this feature, several design aspects should be considered to ensure a seamless user experience:

• Iconography: Use clear and recognizable icons for bookmarking and following. Standard icons like a star for bookmarks and a bell for follow notifications are commonly used and easily understood.
• Button Placement: Position the buttons strategically within the search result listing. They should be easily accessible without obstructing the mod's title, description, or other essential information.
• Visual Feedback: Provide clear visual feedback when a user bookmarks or follows a mod. This could be a change in the icon's color or appearance, or a brief notification message.
• Accessibility: Ensure the buttons are accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Use appropriate ARIA attributes and ensure sufficient color contrast.

Conclusion: A Small Change, a Big Impact

Adding bookmark and follow buttons to Modrinth's search results page represents a small change with the potential for a significant positive impact on user experience. By streamlining the process of collection creation and mod discovery, Modrinth can empower its users to engage more deeply with the platform and its vibrant community. This feature aligns with the platform's goal of providing a user-friendly and efficient experience for mod enthusiasts. The streamlined process will encourage more users to create and engage with collections. This small change can significantly enhance user satisfaction and encourage more users to create and engage with collections.

By making it easier to bookmark and follow mods, Modrinth can foster a more engaged and active community, solidifying its position as a leading platform for mod distribution and discovery. This improvement not only benefits individual users but also contributes to the overall growth and vibrancy of the Modrinth ecosystem. For additional insights into user experience and platform design, consider exploring resources from industry leaders such as the Nielsen Norman Group.