12

We're designing a minimalist login page that follows Google's Material design guidelines. Near the password field, there is an icon with a link to the Reset password page. For such link, what name is recommended/considered best practice?: "Forgot password?", "Reset password", or something else?

Improve this question
2
  • 5
    I've used "Forgot password?" on the login page, with a "reset password" on the actual password recovery page and email. As in "Did you forget your password? Do this to reset it."
    – Bob
    Feb 28, 2017 at 1:57
  • 2
    Well, you could decide to provide different means of authentication (e.g. OpenID). In that case a Forgot password? link could simply bring the user to a page where he can choose an OpenID to use, or reset the password. So it's more general and does not (necessarily) prescribe a password reset action by itself.
    – Bakuriu
    Feb 28, 2017 at 7:01

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
11

Depends: When user is not logged in, on login page, it should be Forgot password. Since the user is probably not able to login since it forgot/lost the password. Also, there are non technical users that will align and understand better with forgot, rather than reset.

Using forgot, kinds of offer help to the user, while reset is a command like link, for more tech users.

You have the optional ability to inform the user on the next step (page/modal) about next steps they need to do. Usually the best approach is to send password reset link to their email.

Improve this answer
1
  • Thanks! I just had a user come back after 4 years who couldn't find the reset link because he was looking for "Forgot Password" instead of what it says, "Reset Password". Changing it now!
    – E L
    May 7, 2020 at 2:48
3

I just checked my account, and Google themselves uses "Forgot Password?" So, I'd go with that.

EDIT: Obviously I wouldn't normally just do whatever Google does, as they are not the be-all end-all, but since they specified that they were following Material Design Guidelines, I thought best practice would be to stick to the standard that has been set by them.

Improve this answer
1
  • 12
    I'd be wary in general of using Google products as examples of sensible UX, although in this case their choice makes sense. I'm surprised they actually wrote "Forgot Password" though instead of just using some incomprehensible icon in a circle.
    – Jason C
    Feb 28, 2017 at 1:03

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.