10 Examples of Dark UX Patterns | UXPUB
How designers use UX for evil.
The UX design field was born out of the drive to improve the experience and interaction of people with products and services. But what happens when designers use these forces for evil? When designers maliciously use UX to trick users into taking certain actions, it is dark UX…
Harry Bringull, who coined the term, phrasing it as follows:
“A user interface that has been carefully designed to trick users into doing anything. These are not mistakes, they have been carefully thought out with a deep understanding of human psychology and do not take into account the interests of the user. “
Dark UX is when designers create experiences that push users in a direction that is in the best interests of the company, not the user.
The list of dark patterns below is compiled from articles and academic research by Harry Bringull.
1. Bait and Switch
“You intend to do one thing, but instead another, unwanted thing happens.”
It s free. We just need your credit card and social security number.
2. Disguised advertising
“Ads disguised as navigation or other types of content for you to click on.”
So there are no single ladies in my area waiting to see me?
3. Distraction
“Design purposefully focuses your attention on one thing to divert attention from another.”
Look here, now click there, and check this box – and boom! You just sold your soul to the devil.
4. Spam your friends
“The product asks for permission to access your e-mail or social networks under the pretext that they will be used for the desired result (for example, finding friends), but then sends spam to all your contacts. At the same time, the message states that it is from you. “
No wonder I have no friends.
5. Hidden costs
“You get to the last stage of the checkout process, but find that there are unexpected payments, such as shipping costs, tax, etc.”
The price seems to keep going up as I go through the checkout process … hmm.
6. Trick question
“You are answering a question that, if you look at it quickly, seems to ask one thing, but if you read it carefully, it asks something else entirely.”
If you re inattentive, the devil can trick you into choosing his terrible newsletter that you can t unsubscribe from.
7. Confirmshaming
“Make the user feel guilty for not choosing the suggested option. Typically, this company uses copywriting to shame the user for not choosing the option the company wants. ”
You suck if you don t do what we want you to.
8. Trap for cockroaches (Roach Motel)
“Design makes it easy for you to get into a certain situation, but then makes it difficult for you to get out of it (for example, a subscription).”
You will be able to register anytime, but you can never leave!
9. Fear of Missing Opportunity (FOMO)
“The site misleads users that the product is in demand, which forces them to quickly make a purchase decision. Users believe that if they do not make a decision soon, they will miss out on this new opportunity. ”
If this product is so popular, why do you show me ads for it on Instagram every day?
10. Adding items to the cart secretly
“You re trying to buy something, but somewhere in the buying process, the site surreptitiously adds an additional item to your cart, often using an opt-out or checkbox on the previous page.”
Be careful, otherwise you may inadvertently overwrite the ownership of your apartment.