Skip to main content
Also known as: click map, scroll map, attention map

Heatmap

ConceptualProductMetrics

Definition

Heatmap: A heatmap visualizes aggregate user behavior data—clicks, mouse movement, or scroll depth—as color-coded overlays on product interfaces. Hot spots show high activity; cold spots show neglected areas. Heatmaps quickly reveal what attracts attention and what gets ignored.

Example Usage

“The scroll heatmap showed 70% of users never reached our call-to-action below the fold. Moving it up increased conversions 25%.”

Common Misconceptions

More clicks always mean success. Frustrated users click everywhere looking for things; context matters.
Heatmaps show intent. They show behavior, not motivation; combine with other research to understand why.
One heatmap per page is enough. Segment by device, traffic source, and user type for actionable insights.

Explore More Resources

Browse Tools

Discover 100+ vetted tools for every stage of your startup journey

Explore all tools

Build Your Stack

Take our personalized quiz to get tool recommendations for your startup

Start the checklist

Recommended Reading

Curated books to help you learn, grow, and succeed as a founder

View book recommendations

Listen & Learn

Top podcasts covering startups, product, growth, and entrepreneurship

Discover podcasts

Help us improve this definition

See something that could be clearer or more accurate? Let us know.

Help us improve this page

Found an error or have a suggestion? We'd love to hear from you.