How a simple terminology shift helped Libry reduce confusion and drive better interactions

In product design, words are more than labels. They're part of the user experience. When Libry, a platform for content creators to display their serious work, chose “Added” as its version of “Subscribed,” the intention was to be original. But early users didn’t see it that way.

They were confused.

And that confusion created a barrier at the most critical point of user interaction.

Understanding the problem

Libry’s original use of “Added” aimed to stand out. Inspired by ideas of adding value or growing your creative network, the term was unique. But for users, it wasn’t clear.

In early feedback sessions and surveys, users repeatedly asked what “Added” meant.

The disconnect between internal branding and user expectations was clear. This small piece of UX writing was silently hurting engagement.

What we did

We took a user-led approach to improve clarity and impact. On behalf of the Libry team, we carried out:

1. A survey targeting early testers to gather broad insights

2. 30-minute individual feedback sessions for deeper context

3. User feedback collection via Canny.io for user vote analysis.

Across all three, the terminology stood out as a consistent pain point. "Added" was not intuitive. It created friction at a place where action should feel seamless.

What changed

We recommended changing the terminology to “Subscribed,” a more recognizable and action-oriented term. Alongside that, we restructured the surrounding UI to support the shift.

• The number of subscribers became more visually prominent

• The bright green “Subscribe” button was made more prominent

• We reduced the emphasis on passive data and increased the prominence of active engagement

This small change improved the clarity of Libry’s interface and aligned better with both user behaviour and the company’s KPIs.

Why this mattered

Changing one word might seem small, but it solved a bigger problem. It reduced confusion, improved usability, and made it easier for users to take the action Libry wanted: to subscribe and engage.

This also reinforced a better product perception. Clear language builds trust. And when design and language work together, engagement grows naturally.

This is what Tierra helps product teams do. We do not just build features. We optimize the experience, one thoughtful detail at a time.