WHY SO MANY INFO TIPS ARE BAD (AND HOW TO MAKE THEM BETTER)

Summary from the TLDR Design newsletter

Information tips—brief messages triggered by hovering or clicking icons like "?" or "i"—should provide supplemental context without hiding essential information or disrupting workflow. Common pitfalls include wasting time with redundant content, hiding critical instructions that most users need upfront, and interrupting tasks with intrusive modals or page takeovers rather than inline guidance. Well-designed info tips remain short, contextual, and accessible while keeping crucial information visible at the primary interface level.