40 AI Prompts for Writing Microcopy That Boosts UX
Discover 40 practical AI prompts for writing microcopy that improves UX. Learn how to create clear, human UX microcopy for buttons, error messages, onboarding, and empty states that reduce friction and guide users at key moments.
When you use an app or a website, you probably don’t think about every single word you see. Still, those small bits of text, button labels, error messages, short explanations, or messages shown when a screen is empty, have a huge impact on how users feel while using a product.
That small but important text is called microcopy. It helps users better understand what they need to do and how to use a product. When microcopy is good, users feel more confident and less confused. When it’s bad, people get frustrated easily and often give up.
This blog focuses on AI prompts for writing microcopy, practical prompts you can use with AI tools to write UX microcopy that is clear, human, and easy to understand.
You don’t need to be a UX writer or a designer. This article is written in a simple way, so even someone who is completely new to this topic can understand how microcopy works and how AI can help.
Key Takeaways
- Microcopy shapes the user experience more than users realize - small pieces of text guide decisions, reduce confusion, and directly influence how confident users feel.
- Good microcopy is clear, human, and reassuring - it explains what’s happening, avoids jargon, and helps users move forward without friction.
- AI prompts speed up UX writing, not replace judgment - they provide strong first drafts that still need human refinement and context.
- Different UI moments need different types of microcopy - buttons, errors, onboarding, empty states, and confirmations all serve unique user needs.
- Effective microcopy reduces frustration and builds trust - when users always know what’s happening and what to do next, UX improves naturally.
How to Use These AI Prompts
Before we get to the list, it’s important to understand that AI prompts are not a magic solution. They help you get to good copy faster.
Each prompt in this blog can be:
- adapted to your brand’s tone
- used as a first draft
- further simplified or shortened
When using AI prompts for UX writing, the goal is not to get perfect copy on the first try, but to get a solid starting point that you can refine.
AI Prompts for Buttons and CTA Elements
Buttons are the places where users make decisions. Good microcopy on a button clearly explains what will happen after a click.
Prompt 1: “Write short and clear button text that tells the user exactly what they get when they click.”
Prompt 2: “Suggest CTA text that sounds friendly, not salesy.”
Prompt 3: “Write an alternative CTA for a secondary action, without pressure.”
Prompt 4: “Suggest text for a button that triggers a risky action (delete, cancel), without sounding scary.”
Prompt 5: “Write microcopy for a disabled button and explain why it is not active.”
Prompt 6: “Suggest a CTA that encourages the user to take the first step.”
Prompt 7: “Write short button text for an onboarding flow.”
Prompt 8: “Suggest CTA text that clearly separates the primary action from the secondary one.”
These AI prompts for microcopy help make buttons clear and easy to understand, which directly improves UX.
AI Prompts for Error Messages and Validation
Error messages are especially tricky because they appear when users are already frustrated. In these moments, microcopy should calm the user down and help them move forward, not create more frustration.
Prompt 9: “Write an error message that explains what went wrong in simple language.”
Prompt 10: “Suggest an error message that offers a clear solution.”
Prompt 11: “Write a form validation message without technical jargon.”
Prompt 12: “Suggest a friendly error message that does not blame the user.”
Prompt 13: “Write a system error message that helps maintain user trust.”
Prompt 14: “Suggest short text for an error that happens when submitting a form.”
Prompt 15: “Write microcopy that reassures the user when something isn’t working.”
Prompt 16: “Suggest an error message that sounds human, not robotic.”
Good UX microcopy in these situations can significantly improve the overall user experience.
AI Prompts for Onboarding and First-Time Experiences
Onboarding is the user’s first interaction with a product. If it feels confusing, users often drop off very quickly.
Prompt 17: “Write a short explanation for the first feature the user sees.”
Prompt 18: “Suggest an onboarding message that doesn’t overwhelm the user with information.”
Prompt 19: “Write microcopy for a tooltip that explains a single action.”
Prompt 20: “Suggest a friendly welcome message.”
Prompt 21: “Write short text that explains why a feature is useful.”
Prompt 22: “Suggest an onboarding message that encourages the user to continue.”
Prompt 23: “Write microcopy that guides the user step by step.”
Prompt 24: “Suggest text for completing the onboarding process.”
These AI prompts for writing microcopy help make onboarding clear and pleasant, even for beginners.
AI Prompts for Empty States and ‘No Data’ Situations
Empty screens are common, but often poorly explained. Good microcopy turns an empty state into a clear next step.
Prompt 25: “Write a message for an empty screen that explains why there is no data.”
Prompt 26: “Suggest empty state copy that offers a next action.”
Prompt 27: “Write a friendly message for the first time a list is empty.”
Prompt 28: “Suggest microcopy that motivates the user to add their first item.”
Prompt 29: “Write text for an empty dashboard without technical terms.”
Prompt 30: “Suggest a message that removes the feeling of being ‘stuck.’”
Prompt 31: “Write an empty state message that feels encouraging.”
Prompt 32: “Suggest clear and short text for a ‘no results’ state.”
This kind of UX microcopy greatly improves the user’s sense of control.
AI Prompts for Confirmations, Warnings, and Feedback Messages
Users like to know what’s happening. Feedback builds trust.
Prompt 33: “Write a success message that clearly confirms the action was completed.”
Prompt 34: “Suggest an action confirmation without unnecessary text.”
Prompt 35: “Write a warning message that is clear but not threatening.”
Prompt 36: “Suggest text for confirming content deletion.”
Prompt 37: “Write microcopy for an ‘in progress’ status without technical language.”
Prompt 38: “Suggest a message that tells the user to wait.”
Prompt 39: “Write a feedback message that feels calm and human.”
Prompt 40: “Suggest a short confirmation that closes the user action.”
These AI prompts for UX microcopy help keep communication with users clear and consistent.
How to Recognize Good Microcopy (Even When AI Writes It)
Whether you use AI or write it yourself, good microcopy usually shares a few key traits:
- it is clear and short
- it avoids complicated words
- it tells the user what’s happening and what comes next
- it sounds like it was written by a person, not a system
If the text reduces uncertainty and helps users move forward, you’re on the right track.
Conclusion
AI can significantly speed up writing microcopy, but the best results come when you use AI prompts for writing microcopy as a starting point and then adapt the text to real users.
Good UX microcopy doesn’t have to be clever or funny. It just needs to be clear, human, and helpful. That’s exactly the goal of these 40 AI prompts.