BeeLine Reader

What is BeeLine Reader?

BeeLine Reader makes reading on-screen easier, faster, and more enjoyable using a simple cognitive trick — an eye-guiding color gradient — to pull your eyes through long blocks of text. The text at the end of each line is colored the same as the beginning of the next, so the color of the text acts as a flag post that directs the reader's eyes through the text more easily.

Impact on Speed Reading and Focus

BeeLine Reader uses a simple cognitive trick – an eyeguiding color gradient – to pull your eyes from one line to the next, which increases reading speed and enhances focus. The average reading speed increase is over 20%.

A study done by CNET (and covered by The Atlantic) showed that people reading with this technology were 35% more likely to finish an article than reading plain black text.

Who Benefits?

Originally created as a speed-reading tool, BeeLine Reader is used by high-performing students at the most elite universities in the world, but this technique isn't just for gifted readers—it is also incredibly helpful for students with dyslexia, ADHD, or vision impairments.

Additional Features

Notable additional settings and features include a Focus mode (to minimize distraction while reading) and OpenDyslexic font, and a PDF-specific version of BeeLine for classrooms.

Availability

The system is available as an extension in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, as a PDF viewer, and as an iOS app.

Mixed Research Findings

While many users report benefits, it's worth noting that some research suggests potential users should keep in mind that BeeLine Reader is a charged application with no clear theoretical underpinnings and may have a detrimental effect on reading speed, reading comprehension, and more subjective readability measures. The effectiveness may vary by individual and reading level.