Why indicate current location?

Not all users start at the homepage of a website — search engines can drop them on any page. That’s why it’s important to show users where they are on the site. This helps them decide their next steps and understand if they’re on the right track. For example, on an e-commerce site, users might land on a product page from a search engine. Using breadcrumbs to show the product's category and sub-category gives users context. They can see where the product fits in the site and easily navigate to related items or categories.

Even when users start from the homepage, clear navigation helps them know their location as they move through the site. This might include highlighted menu items, breadcrumbs, or headings that change to show the current page. These indicators help users feel confident and make navigation easier.