diff --git a/src/ol/control/control.js b/src/ol/control/control.js
index 8a5e385d47..73dab95e88 100644
--- a/src/ol/control/control.js
+++ b/src/ol/control/control.js
@@ -10,13 +10,26 @@ goog.require('ol.Object');
 
 /**
  * @classdesc
- * Abstract base class; normally only used for creating subclasses and not
- * instantiated in apps.
  * A control is a visible widget with a DOM element in a fixed position on the
  * screen. They can involve user input (buttons), or be informational only;
  * the position is determined using CSS. By default these are part of the map
  * container, but can use any outside DOM element.
  *
+ * This is the base class for controls. You can use it for simple custom
+ * controls by creating the element with listeners, creating an instance:
+ * ```js
+ * var myControl = new ol.control.Control({element: myElement});
+ * ```
+ * and then adding this to the map.
+ *
+ * The main advantage of having this as a control rather than a simple separate
+ * DOM element is that preventing propagation is handled for you. Controls
+ * will also be `ol.Object`s in a `ol.Collection`, so you can use their
+ * methods.
+ *
+ * You can also extend this base for your own control class. See
+ * examples/custom-controls for an example of how to do this.
+ *
  * @constructor
  * @extends {ol.Object}
  * @implements {oli.control.Control}