Breadcrumb Navigation

Continuing AI’s random writing, Local Comic Browser, at the end, I discovered there was no return to homepage function; I extracted the issue and fed it to AI. The solution was to add breadcrumb navigation.

Breadcrumb navigation is a common user interface design pattern typically used to help users understand their location within a website or application and provide quick paths to return to the previous level or homepage. Its name originates from the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, where the protagonists used breadcrumbs to mark their path home.

In practical applications, breadcrumb navigation is usually presented in a hierarchical path format, such as:

Homepage > Category > Subcategory > Current Page

This navigation method not only improves user experience but also helps users quickly locate and jump to specific content, especially within deep, hierarchical content structures.

What other navigation schemes exist besides breadcrumbs?

While breadcrumb navigation is a good option, there are several other common navigation solutions depending on the different application scenarios:

Back Button

The simplest and most direct solution, typically placed in the top of the page or toolbar:

← Return  or  ⬅ Back

Pros: Simple and clear, low cognitive cost for users.
Cons: Can only return to the previous level, cannot directly jump to higher levels.

Fixed navigation menu located at the top or side of a page:

Home | Categories | Settings | About

Advantages: Always visible, allowing direct jumps to any major page.
Disadvantages: Occupies screen space, may need to be collapsed on mobile devices.

Typically displayed on the left or right side of a page to show a hierarchical structure:

📁 Home
├── 📂 Anime
│   ├── 📖 One Piece
│   └── 📖 Naruto
└── 📂 Settings

Advantages: Clearly displays the complete structure, supports multi-level navigation
Disadvantages: Occupies significant screen space

Floating Action Button

A floating action button is typically a circular, floating button that’s fixed to a specific location on the screen:

🏠 (Floating in the bottom right corner)

Pros: Doesn’t occupy layout space, always accessible
Cons: Single function, may obscure content

Navigate using hand gestures:

Swipe right to go back one level
Double tap to return to the homepage

Advantages: Smooth operation, aligns with mobile usage habits
Disadvantages: High learning curve, poor discoverability

When selecting a navigation scheme, consider the following factors:

Application Type: Desktop application, web application, or mobile application
User Group: Technical proficiency, usage habits
Content Hierarchy: Depth of hierarchy, structural complexity
Screen Space: Available space size, layout restrictions
Usage Frequency: Frequency of navigation feature use

For scenarios like a local comic browser, it’s recommended to combine schemes:

Primary Scheme: Breadcrumb Navigation (clearly displays the path)
Auxiliary Schemes: Keyboard Shortcuts (improves efficiency) + Floating Home Page Button (quickly returns to the starting point)

This way, you can meet the habits of different users while providing a convenient navigation experience in various scenarios.