How can an ArcGIS user ensure that point symbols used in a feature layer scale with zoom?

To ensure that point symbols used in a feature layer scale appropriately with zoom in ArcGIS, it is crucial to set the reference scale for the data frame. The reference scale serves as a baseline for how features in the layer will appear at different map scales. When a reference scale is established at the data frame level, the point symbols can be configured to maintain their proportionality; they will grow or shrink relative to the map scale while the user zooms in or out.

This method is particularly effective because it applies uniformly across all layers within the data frame, ensuring a consistent visual representation of symbols as the scale changes. When the reference scale is correctly set, all point features will adjust their size dynamically based on the viewer's zoom level, enhancing the map's readability and effectiveness.

Selecting the reference scale for the layer, the map document, or the Layout view, while related to overall map organization and presentation, does not impact the scaling behavior of point symbols to the same extent. Each of those options addresses different aspects of map design, but setting the reference scale specifically at the data frame level directly influences how layers respond to zoom levels.