Hotspot · Tooltip · Contextual help
Intercom’s hotspot triggers a tooltip and a popup
Intercom pairs a hotspot with a tooltip whose Learn more link opens a full help article inside its own Messenger widget.
Screenshot added to the library in December 2022; its exact capture date wasn’t recorded, and the product may look different today. Write-up reviewed 22 Oct 2026.
At the time of the recording, Intercom demonstrated a hotspot on a sample banking app. A small blue beacon sits next to "Open an account" in the sidebar. Hovering over it shows a tooltip ("Hey there 👋 you can now manage your investments directly from your accounts page") with a "Learn more here" link. Clicking the link opens the Intercom Messenger as a larger panel with a help article, "Trigger other content from a tooltip".
Why it works
✅ Layered UX elements: the beacon draws the eye without blocking anything, the tooltip gives a one-line summary, and the article is there only for users who want the detail.
✅ Uses a familiar brand element: the Intercom Messenger is one of the best-known widgets in SaaS, and opening the article there makes the next step feel familiar.
✅ Copy and formatting: the tooltip is short and friendly, and the article uses a clear title and short paragraphs that are easy to read or skim.
More on this pattern: UX/UI hotspots and contextual onboarding.
