Eye tracking research has shown that users scan from the left in a vertical movement. In order for icons to serve as a visual scanning aid, users need to see them before they see the button label. Placing them to the left of a label allows users to see the icon first. If you place icons to the right of your label, users read the label first and therefore the icon serves no purpose other than decoration.
For clearer usability, always use labels with abstract or unfamiliar icons.
Best practices
Position
Place icons before labels in order for users to see them first.
check_circleDo
- Icon with label
- Only icon