Understanding Dark Patterns in Digital Design

False Activity Messages: Sites falsely claim high user activity or interest in a product to create urgency.
Deceptive Consumer Testimonials: Using fake endorsements or presenting testimonials without disclosing material information.
Deceptive Celebrity Endorsements: Falsely attributing testimonials to celebrities.
Parasocial Relationship Pressure: Leveraging trusted characters, especially those familiar to children, to influence choices.

False Low Stock Message: Misleading users by indicating low stock to prompt immediate purchases.
False High Demand Message: Creating a false sense of urgency by claiming high demand.

Baseless Countdown Timer: Displaying a fake countdown clock to pressure immediate purchases.
False Limited Time Message: Suggesting offers are time-limited when they are not.
False Discount Claims: Advertising fake discounts or sales to lure consumers.

Price Comparison Prevention: Making it difficult for shoppers to compare prices by bundling items or using inconsistent measures.
Roadblocks to Cancellation: Designing processes that make it easy to sign up but challenging to cancel.
Immortal Accounts: Making it hard or impossible to delete an account.

Sneak-into-Basket: Automatically adding items to the shopping cart without the user’s consent.
Hidden Information: Withholding essential information or significant product limitations.
Hidden Costs: Adding fees or charges that are not initially disclosed.
Drip Pricing: Advertising a partial price and adding mandatory charges later in the buying process.
Hidden Subscription or Forced Continuity: Offering a free trial that transitions into a paid subscription without clear consent.

Misdirection: Designing elements to focus user attention away from critical information.
False Hierarchy or Pressured Upselling: Using visual prominence to nudge users toward specific choices.
Disguised Ads: Making advertisements look like unbiased product reviews or independent articles.
Bait and Switch: Leading users to expect one outcome but delivering another.

Unauthorized Transactions: Tricking users into paying for goods or services they didn’t intend to buy.
Auto-Play: Automatically playing additional videos in a disruptive or harmful manner.
Nagging: Repeatedly and disruptively asking users to take an action.
Forced Registration or Enrollment: Requiring account creation or information sharing to complete a task.
Pay-to-Play or Grinding: Advertising free access but then charging for full functionality.
Friend Spam, Social Pyramid Schemes, and Address Book Leeching: Misusing email addresses or social media permissions for unintended purposes.

Trick Questions: Using confusing language to steer users towards unwanted actions.
Confirm Shaming: Shaming users into making certain choices by framing alternatives negatively.
Preselection: Preselecting options that benefit the company but not the user.
Subverting Privacy Preferences: Tricking users into sharing more information than intended.

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