Who else get irritated by websites that use the term "Learn More" ?

1. 0

   captainradonposted 11 years ago

   I may be over-sensitive, but to me, the term "Learn More" sounds rather condescending, as if to imply that the author is so superior, and therefore has to "teach" us poor dumb readers.
   Does anyone else feel that way?

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   1. 87

      IzzyMposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      'Learn more' doesn't bother me, except when someone uses that term when it is obvious from what they have written that they haven't got a clue themselves and are just keyword chasing, hashing together an article with little thought and even less knowledge, hoping to gain some readership.
      
      THEN it bothers me! I feel like saying "Right back at you!"

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   2. 69

      Cagsilposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Ever thought it's your perception that's skewed?
      
      I have a Facebook page in which I post my hubs on and many times I will say "Learn more?" because the article I have attached has an expanded view more than the tidbit I put in the Facebook box. The object is to get readers and giving them something to munch on to make the article something they want to read.
      Obviously, I don't agree. If you're on a website, then apparently the page you reached is to draw in readers, to get clicks onto another section of the website. It's used because it's effective.

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2. 93

   melbelposted 11 years ago

   I don't feel the same way.
   
   I don't think it's condescending, but rather just a concise way to let people know, "Hey, if you would like to know more of what we're talking about, click this link."
   
   I don't mind the assumption that I might not know about a certain product. I can't possibly know the details of everything on the interwebs. If it's not immediately obvious what something's for, it definitely needs a "learn more" button. Those that already know the gist, can just skip to something else.
   
   Plus, those buttons usually don't contain like "obvious" information. Like, hmm eBay has been doing this whole like "no listing fee for the first 50 items you list each month" deal. And so on their site they could have (I don't know if they use one) a button that says "learn more." I clicked it because I genuinely wanted to learn more... (Did they raise their final value fees? Is this deal exclusive to certain categories?)
   
   I wouldn't take it condescending because if I already KNEW what they would be telling me, I could feel all happy and proud like, "Look at me, knowin' stuff. "
   
   If I do feel the need to learn something, I would feel happy to click it and learn something new.
   
   Plus, I think "learn more" is the shortest way to say "Hey, if you don't know what we're talking about, go ahead and click here and we'll show ya. If you do know what's goin' on, have fun using our site. "
   
   I could see it condescending if it said something like, "Click here, because you obviously don't know what we're talking about. Single-click, not double-click, you're on the Internet."

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3. 77

   cydroposted 11 years ago

   Interesting fact:
   
   Professional websites such as Obama's campaign website use a technique that was pioneered by Google where they show a slightly different webpage to like .05% to .1%  of users.
   
   Because there are thousands of visitors a day, reliable statistics can be obtained by using this technique.
   
   A good example is that Obama's campaign website used the phrase "Learn More" instead of "Support Our Campaign." 
   
   Statistics showed that this increased the number of clicks by like 10% or something, and so did changing the background from a video to a black and white image.  I think there was a Wired magazine article on it.
   
   Anyway, "Learn More" is effective for websites to use...although the effectiveness changes over time (as demonstrated by the technique I just discussed).

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4. 60

   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   If it was me, I'd just do:
   
   More...
   
   It informs the reader that there is more, without any implications whatsoever.
   
   (The link just goes to the HP FAQ (it had to go somewhere...))

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5. 0

   captainradonposted 11 years ago

   Thanks for your replies, Melbel, cydro and paradigm. Clearly, I'm in the minority when it comes to this. I wonder if it could be the result of those subtle (and not-so-subtle) cultural differences between groups around the English speaking world? Still, that phrase usage does aggravate me.

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6. 56

   Dame Scribeposted 11 years ago

   I have no problems with those words when it's on a topic I know nothing about and reason why I am on the site. I want answers and served on a platter too

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   1. 0

      captainradonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I really thought that there would be a deafening outcry against this phrase, as users vent their white-hot pent-up rage......
      But there are several other taboo forms of expression in Netiquette that were popular once but have since been denounced, like using all capitals. I just wanted this one to be added to that list.

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7. 52

   ocbillposted 11 years ago

   More info and click here are close relatives

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   1. 0

      captainradonposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      And in my opinion, not as annoying as "Learn More".

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8. 63

   Nouveau Skepticposted 11 years ago

   It seems to state a plain fact to me, that you can "learn more" about the topic by clicking the link.

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9. 61

   LindaSmith1posted 11 years ago

   I have found filling out a form and having to click on free report, learn more usually means somebody is selling something.

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10. 63

    Lisa HWposted 11 years ago

    In a world so full of "condescending", it never really occurred to me to think much about this as one more example of it, but I think Linda Smith is right about "Learn More" usually leading to someone's trying to sell something.
    
    Now that I'm thinking about it, though, I do think "More" or "Read More" is more correct, for a couple of different reasons (none of which, to me, involve "Learn More" being condescending, though). 

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11. 0

    Jennifer Angelposted 11 years ago

    I get irritated with them after you click the link and they say PAY THIS to get x information....Why? I can get the same information for free, from another source. People are still trying to scam internet users. When will they learn?

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12. 0

    captainradonposted 11 years ago

    Yes, that was going to be my next gripe, the seemingly free access that comes with a price-tag.

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13. 78

    Greekgeekposted 11 years ago

    "Learn more" is a hopeful motto and a way of life for some of us. So it seems to me a very positive phrase. As the saying goes, the day I stop learning is the day I die.

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14. 60

    Guy Foxeposted 11 years ago

    I have a website all about freelance writing.  If you want to learn more about it just click on my profile and go check it out.
    
    Just monkeying around--sorry, couldn't resist.

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15. 77

    Mighty Momposted 11 years ago

    Maybe you'd get a better outcry if you picked on another Netiquette phrase that bugs you.
    This one doesn't seem to make anyone's skin crawl.

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16. 0

    captainradonposted 11 years ago

    I'm surprised that no one else finds "Learn More" even slightly annoying. I must be paranoid, I don't deny it. But humor me for a moment, while I analyze the semantics of this phrase. ('analyze the semantics'..!...  )
    "Learn More" is actually an order, like the long-deprecated cliche: "Click here". In fact, I find "Click here" slightly less offensive than "Learn more", as it doesn't imply anything about the intellectual superiority of the author. Instead "Click here" sounds a bit goofy, such as offering someone a finger trap.
    But "Learn more" really implies: "You don't know enough to understand this web page, so go away and Learn more, and don't come back here until you're more knowledgeable."
    That's what it says to me, anyway...

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17. 60

    paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

    Tough town, the internet.

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