Building Microtools That Users Actually Use (and Share)

As developers, we often dream of building the next big thing. But sometimes, it's the small tools - the single-purpose, hyper-focused, instantly gratifying ones - that get real traction.

I want to share my experience building MemeLieDetector.com, a platform that started as a meme-based joke and evolved into a collection of microtools people actually use, share, and come back to. Along the way, I learned a lot about attention spans, UX friction, and the psychology behind playful interfaces.

What Is a Microtool?

Let’s define this first: a microtool is a small, self-contained online utility that does one thing - quickly, cleanly, and with minimal cognitive load. Think:

• Reaction time test
• Truth/Lie detector
• Typing speed calculator
• Color converter
• Meme caption generator

These tools don’t require accounts, onboarding, or configuration. You land → you click → you get value.

The best ones are instantly interactive and often have a playful or emotional component baked in.

The Spark: From Meme to Microinteraction

I built MemeLieDetector originally as a joke: a one-click "truth or lie" button that flashes an answer. It mimics the viral format - someone makes a wild claim, and a big "LIE" or "TRUTH" graphic slaps down. We've all seen it.

What surprised me is how people used it.
Not just for laughs, but as a social microinteraction:

• In DMs, to "call someone out"
• In stream overlays, to prank chat
• On TikTok videos, as dramatic punchlines

This made me think: what if I double down on this energy, and build a small suite of tools with the same immediate payoff?

The Tools I Built (and Why They Work)

1. Classic Truth/Lie Detector - a slow-burn, retro-looking scanner with a suspenseful delay. It builds tension - a small psychological trick that makes the result hit harder. Users love the anticipation.

2. Instant Detector - the opposite philosophy: no animation, just immediate feedback. Perfect for fast-paced content or mobile use. This version gets tons of engagement from TikTok users.

3. Ultimate Detector - a visual upgrade - animated rainbow arc, pointer movement, strong “vibe check” aesthetics. It resonates with users who want more than a binary result. They feel it.

Reaction Time Test

Then came Reaction Time Benchmark, inspired by tools like HumanBenchmark but redesigned for smooth UX on mobile.
No login, just:
🟢 “Click when green” → result → try again.

I integrated it as a “cognitive microtool” - still fun, but subtly useful. A light mental test in a meme wrapper.

Typing Speed Test

Most typing tests are bloated, with clunky layouts or forced signups.
My version loads instantly, has soft animations, and breaks text into readable word blocks.

And it works. People type, share scores, challenge others. Microtool success.

Why These Tools Actually Work

1. Zero friction UX
   No cookies popups, no modals, no waiting. These tools are built with intent clarity - it’s obvious what you’re supposed to do.

2. Visual Feedback
   Every action gets a visible reaction - a truth label, a graph, a WPM result. This immediate dopamine hit is key.

3. Shareability
   Most tools output something you can share: a number, a label, a verdict. This makes users your distribution engine.

4. Humor
   Adding humor doesn't cheapen UX - it enhances stickiness. People remember tools that make them laugh.

What I’d Tell Other Devs

• Build something small.
• Make it delightful.
• Remove every piece of friction possible.
• Respect your user’s time.

And don’t be afraid of humor. Not everything has to be enterprise-grade to be useful or impactful.

Some of the best tools on the internet do one thing really well - and they do it fast.