A dead click occurs when a website visitor clicks on an element—such as text, an image, or a button—expecting it to trigger an action, but nothing happens. This often results from design elements that look interactive but aren’t, leading users to mistakenly believe they’ve encountered a broken link or a malfunctioning feature.
Dead clicks can frustrate users and contribute to “click rage,” where users repeatedly click in confusion or irritation. This kind of interaction signals a breakdown in user experience (UX) and can negatively impact how users perceive your brand or site functionality. By using tools like heatmaps and session recordings, marketers and designers can identify dead click patterns and make informed changes to improve clarity and usability. Reducing dead clicks helps create a smoother, more intuitive experience that keeps users engaged and moving toward conversion.