Users scan websites selectively rather than reading them. Eye-tracking research identifies distinct patterns: the F-pattern (reading across the top, then scanning down the left side), layer-cake pattern (fixating on headings and skipping body text), and spotted pattern (jumping to visual anchors like bold text, links, and images). Most users never read content linearly.
First impressions form in under 0.2 seconds, headlines receive less than one second of attention, and users spend approximately five to six seconds on body content before moving on. Visual layout drives scanning behavior: text-heavy pages trigger F-pattern scanning while visual layouts produce scattered viewing drawn to images and contrasting elements. Users move their eyes much faster than expected, with fixation durations averaging around 225 milliseconds during reading and 300 to 400 milliseconds during complex scene perception. Demographic differences exist as well; research shows variation in processing strategies between user groups, with some engaging in comprehensive scanning while others focus on fewer areas more intensely. Search results follow a "golden triangle" pattern where top results receive disproportionate attention. The practical implication is that information placement matters more than information volume; content positioned outside the natural scan path is functionally invisible regardless of its quality.