Re:Dark patterns: what are most unethical UIs and growth hac...
by harrybr on Wednesday July 02, 2014 @05:35PM
(#7979893)
Some of my bugbears in no particular order:
"Locked Slingshot" in Facebook's slingshot app [1] is an interesting one. Not the worst dark pattern in the world, but quite manipulative nonetheless.
Forced continuity services where they make a recurring membership look like a one-off purchase. Justfab [2] is still at it. Arguably they’re playing this card more than ever right now.
The way payday loan companies like Wonga [3] represent compound interest to target customers. They only present a a “best case scenario”, using sliders to imply a control, when in fact there no modelling of missed payments and true APR is hidden.
The relentless series of pre-checkout upsell pages you get with most domain name registrars (e.g. godaddy) and low cost airlines.
Abuse of html controls to make them behave in unexpected ways, e.g. Airasia [4].
Requiring cancellation of an online service by phone, and making you give reasons / listen to a long script / jump through hoops before allowing you to cancel (e.g. The Times of London).
"Locked Slingshot" in Facebook's slingshot app [1] is an interesting one. Not the worst dark pattern in the world, but quite manipulative nonetheless.
Forced continuity services where they make a recurring membership look like a one-off purchase. Justfab [2] is still at it. Arguably they’re playing this card more than ever right now.
The way payday loan companies like Wonga [3] represent compound interest to target customers. They only present a a “best case scenario”, using sliders to imply a control, when in fact there no modelling of missed payments and true APR is hidden.
The relentless series of pre-checkout upsell pages you get with most domain name registrars (e.g. godaddy) and low cost airlines.
Abuse of html controls to make them behave in unexpected ways, e.g. Airasia [4].
Requiring cancellation of an online service by phone, and making you give reasons / listen to a long script / jump through hoops before allowing you to cancel (e.g. The Times of London).
1. http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/129454-hands-on-slingshot-ap...
2. http://www.justfab.com/
3. https://www.wonga.com/
4. http://usabilityhell.com/post/74591297913/airasia-com-bad-us...