--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What's the number-one thing people do on…" description: "\"What's the number-one thing people do on the Web? They read. Words and numbers are the raw material from which the vast majority of webpages are built...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/gerry-mcgovern-49486_activity_what-s-the-number-one-thing-people-do-on_2021322.png" --- # What's the number-one thing people do on the Web? They… ![“What's the number-one thing people do on the Web? They read. Words and numbers are the raw material from which the vast majority of webpages are built. If reading is the primary activity on the Web, then readability is a primary function of Web design.” quote by Gerry McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/gerry-mcgovern-49486_activity_what-s-the-number-one-thing-people-do-on_2021322.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/gerry-mcgovern-49486_activity_what-s-the-number-one-thing-people-do-on_2021322.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc0/gerry-mcgovern-49486_activity_what-s-the-number-one-thing-people-do-on_2021322.png) > “What's the number-one thing people do on the Web? They read. Words and numbers are the raw material from which the vast majority of webpages are built. If reading is the primary activity on the Web, then readability is a primary function of Web design.” [Gerry McGovern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-mcgovern/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Readability is essential because reading dominates web activity, shaping design priorities. **In simple terms:** Reading dominates the web, so design must be readable. Key Takeaway Prioritize clear, readable design. Themes design readability user experience Mood informative analytical Type educational practical When to use this quote - website design - content strategy - accessibility - mobile browsing Key Concepts information hierarchy visual clarity cognitive load Questions to Reflect On - How can design improve readability without sacrificing aesthetics? - What metrics best measure web readability? A Different Perspective Readability alone cannot fix poor content or navigation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/design/) [Internet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/internet/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Web design](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/web-design/) ## Related quotes > ['Charlotte's Web,' which I read sitting on my mother's lap, was the most emotional experience: that was when I made the leap from seeing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meg-wolitzer/charlotte-s-web-which-i-read-sitting-on-my-mother-s-lap-was-the-most/) [Meg Wolitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meg-wolitzer/) > [Good Web design is about the character of the content, not the character of the designer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-zeldman/good-web-design-is-about-the-character-of-the-content-not-the/) [Jeffrey Zeldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-zeldman/) > [I always love design but the more I designed for clients, the less I liked the process of designing for them. 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