How Tailoring the Mode of Information Presentation Influences Younger and Older Adults’ Satisfaction with Health Websites

Although older adults are increasingly using online health information, many websites are not senior-friendly, which might lead to user-problems and dissatisfaction among older people. It has been suggested that websites targeted at older adults should take into account age-related abilities and limitations, for example by providing the opportunity to adjust the modality (i.e., "mode") of information presentation based on visual and auditory capabilities. This study investigates the effects of a mode-tailored website, allowing users to self-tailor the mode of information presentation, on younger and older adults' satisfaction with health websites. The results from a 5 (condition: tailored vs. text, text with visuals, text with audiovisual, combination) × 2 (age: younger 25-45 vs. older ≥ 65 adults) experimental study (N = 563) show that mode tailoring positively influenced satisfaction with the attractiveness and comprehensibility of the website, as compared to non-tailored conditions. These effects on website satisfaction were not different for younger and older adults. The current study provides relevant insights for researchers and practitioners in the field of digital health communication.