Clue App by Zurb: A Look Back at the 5-Second User Testing Tool That Made a Lasting Impact
Originally featured on The Net Awards, Clue by Zurb was a simple but powerful tool that helped designers quickly test how memorable their website designs were. While it's no longer actively maintained, Clue remains an important piece of web history — and a reminder of how smart design tools can shape better digital experiences.
What Was Clue?
Clue was a free, web-based app that let you create a 5-second memory test for any website. You’d send someone a link, they’d see your design for just five seconds, and then answer questions about what they remembered. This kind of rapid feedback was especially helpful for testing:
- Whether headlines stood out
- If branding was recognizable
- How well users noticed key calls to action
It was ideal for designers who needed quick insights without the complexity of full user testing platforms. Clue gained attention across the web, including a blog post by Zurb themselves celebrating the app’s popularity and industry recognition.
Recognition by The Net Awards
Clue gained recognition in the design community and was highlighted on TheNetAwards.com — a platform that once celebrated the best in web design and digital tools. Zurb’s focus on simplicity and user-first design made Clue stand out in an era where many tools were bloated or overly technical.
Though the original link to Clue on TheNetAwards.com is now inactive, we’re preserving its place in digital history here on ONE Jailbreak — a continuation of the legacy that The Net Awards represented. Read more about the acquisition of The Net Awards by ONE Jailbreak.
Why It Still Matters
Even today, the lessons behind Clue remain relevant:
- First impressions matter
- Memory is a key part of user experience
- Simple tools can still have powerful impact
Modern apps — even in the iOS world — often benefit from the same principles Clue was built on. Whether you’re designing a tweak, a jailbreak UI, or a mobile-first site, tools that quickly test clarity and focus are always valuable.
Alternatives Inspired by Clue
Since Clue introduced the simple but powerful idea of a 5-second memory test, several modern tools have adopted and expanded on this concept to help designers get fast, meaningful feedback:
- UsabilityHub’s Five Second Test is one of the most direct successors. It lets you show users a design for just five seconds, then asks what they recall. Its easy setup and detailed reports have made it a favorite for quick impression testing.
- Optimal Workshop’s Chalkmark offers a similar experience, focusing on where users’ attention goes immediately. It helps designers see which parts of their page are memorable and which are overlooked.
- Lookback.io and UserTesting.com provide more comprehensive testing but still support rapid first-impression feedback, combining video and verbal responses for richer insights.
These tools build on Clue’s legacy by offering faster, simpler ways to understand what really sticks in users’ minds — proving that even in a complex digital world, simplicity can lead to better design decisions.
Looking Ahead
While Clue is no longer maintained, its influence lives on in many modern UX and onboarding tools. At ONE Jailbreak, we continue that mission — spotlighting tools, apps, and developers who shape better user experiences.
