Progress indicators within interactive elements like buttons or icons provide immediate feedback to users, showing that an action is in progress. A circular indicator, for example, can be integrated into a button to clearly signal that a task is being processed and that the button cannot be clicked again until the task is complete. This visual cue helps users understand the current state of their action without confusion.

These indicators are ideal for short, indeterminate activities lasting between 2-5 seconds. For instance, when submitting a form, a button with a spinning circle can indicate that the submission is in progress. This keeps the interface clean and provides a direct link between the interaction and the specific item being processed.

For longer activities, other methods like snackbars or notifications are more suitable.^[1]