IA
Taxonomy Review
A practical information architecture method for auditing an existing taxonomy and improving the parts that create confusion, inconsistency, or poor findability.
How to use taxonomy review to assess an existing structure, identify where it is breaking down, and improve categories, labels, and hierarchy without starting again.
Quick take
If your structure exists but isn’t working, use a taxonomy review to fix it.
Related Services
What it is
glossaryTaxonomyTaxonomy is the system used to classify and organise content into structured categories. It defines how content is grouped, named, and related within a product or system.Open glossary term review is a UX and IA method used to assess how well an existing content or product structure performs.
It focuses on evaluating categories, glossaryHierarchyHierarchy is the organisation of elements to show importance and guide user attention.Open glossary term, labels, and relationships to identify gaps, inconsistencies, and areas of confusion.
Unlike guideTaxonomy DesignCreating clear, scalable structures for content, products, and information so organisation and navigation make sense.Open guide, which creates structure, a glossaryTaxonomyTaxonomy is the system used to classify and organise content into structured categories. It defines how content is grouped, named, and related within a product or system.Open glossary term review audits what already exists and improves it.
It typically combines guideExpert ReviewUsing experienced judgement to identify friction, risks, and improvement opportunities across a product or journey.Open guide, analytics, and glossaryUser BehaviourUser behaviour refers to how users interact with a product, including actions, patterns, and decision-making processes.Open glossary term to understand where the structure is breaking down.
The goal is to make the existing glossaryTaxonomyTaxonomy is the system used to classify and organise content into structured categories. It defines how content is grouped, named, and related within a product or system.Open glossary term clearer, more consistent, and easier to navigate.
Taxonomy review is most useful when the structure already exists, but users are still struggling because that structure is no longer working clearly or consistently.
When to use it
Use this method when you already have a structure but it’s underperforming.
It is most useful when:
It is less useful when:
Taxonomy review is often used before taxonomy redesign or optimisation work.
Key takeaway
Use taxonomy review when the structure is already there, but you need to understand why it is failing before deciding how much to change.
How to run it
Set up properly.
Before you start, be clear on what parts of the glossaryTaxonomyTaxonomy is the system used to classify and organise content into structured categories. It defines how content is grouped, named, and related within a product or system.Open glossary term are in scope, what glossaryDataData is raw information collected and stored for analysis, processing, or decision-making.Open glossary term and serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service are available, and what success looks like.
Gather analytics, glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term glossaryDataData is raw information collected and stored for analysis, processing, or decision-making.Open glossary term, and existing serviceUser ResearchUnderstand user behaviour, validate ideas, and make clearer product decisions with evidence you can act on.Open service.
Run the method.
glossaryTaxonomyTaxonomy is the system used to classify and organise content into structured categories. It defines how content is grouped, named, and related within a product or system.Open glossary term review is analytical and structured.
Audit the existing structure and categories. Identify inconsistencies and overlaps. Analyse glossaryUser BehaviourUser behaviour refers to how users interact with a product, including actions, patterns, and decision-making processes.Open glossary term and glossaryNavigationHow users move around a website or product.Open glossary term glossaryPatternA reusable solution to a common design problem.Open glossary term. Review labels and terminology. Highlight gaps and redundancies.
Focus on how the glossaryTaxonomyTaxonomy is the system used to classify and organise content into structured categories. It defines how content is grouped, named, and related within a product or system.Open glossary term performs in practice.
Capture and make sense of it.
The value comes from identifying breakdowns.
Look across findings to identify confusing or unclear categories, duplicated or overlapping content, gaps in the structure, and misalignment with glossaryUser BehaviourUser behaviour refers to how users interact with a product, including actions, patterns, and decision-making processes.Open glossary term.
Use this to inform improvements.
What to look for
Focus on:
Where it goes wrong
Most issues come from:
If the structure isn’t aligned with users, it will continue to fail.
What you get from it
Done properly, this method gives you:
Key takeaway
It helps you fix what’s already there instead of starting again.
Get in touch
If this sounds like something you need, we can review your structure and fix what’s not working.
No guesswork. No assumptions. Just glossaryClarityClarity is how easily users can understand what is happening and what they need to do.Open glossary term and glossaryConsistencyConsistency is the use of uniform patterns, behaviours, and visual elements across a product to create familiarity and predictability. It helps users learn once and apply that knowledge throughout the experience.Open glossary term you can glossaryBuildA build is the process of compiling and packaging code into a runnable application.Open glossary term on.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this method.
What is a taxonomy review in UX?
It is a method used to evaluate and improve an existing serviceInformation ArchitectureImprove navigation, content structure, and findability so users can understand where things are and how to move through them.Open service.
When should you run a taxonomy review?
Use it when users struggle to navigate or find content.
How is it different from taxonomy design?
guideTaxonomy DesignCreating clear, scalable structures for content, products, and information so organisation and navigation make sense.Open guide creates structure, while glossaryTaxonomyTaxonomy is the system used to classify and organise content into structured categories. It defines how content is grouped, named, and related within a product or system.Open glossary term review improves an existing one.
What data is used in a taxonomy review?
Analytics, glossarySearchSearch is the functionality that allows users to find content or information by entering queries. It relies on indexing, metadata, and relevance algorithms to return useful results.Open glossary term logs, glossaryUser BehaviourUser behaviour refers to how users interact with a product, including actions, patterns, and decision-making processes.Open glossary term, and guideExpert ReviewUsing experienced judgement to identify friction, risks, and improvement opportunities across a product or journey.Open guide.
Does taxonomy review improve UX?
Yes. It makes existing structures clearer and easier to use.