Dark Patterns
Try each demo below — most of them are designed to catch you.
Every site you visit wants you to do something — buy an item, invite a friend, hand over some personal data — because each of those actions is worth money to someone. Most sites ask honestly. But some cross a line and quietly engineer the interface so you take those actions without realizing it. Those tricks have a name: dark patterns.
The best defense is simply recognizing them. Below is a walkthrough of the common ones, each as a demo you can actually poke at. The more of these you can name on sight, the harder they are to use on you.
Specimen 01
Sneak into Basket
A store lets you buy an item, but slips extra ones into your cart right as you check out — so you pay for things you never chose. Buy the item you actually want.
Shady Store
- Cool item · $29
- Awesome item · $49
- Ok item · $19
Specimen 02
Confirmshaming
A newsletter pop-up asks you to subscribe. Signing up is easy — but the button that declines is worded to make you feel foolish for saying no.
Subscribe for weekly savings?
Specimen 03
Fake Friend Request
Here is a list of people you might know, each with an Accept button. It looks like you are approving requests that came in.
Friend Requests
- Tom Tomson
- Jim Jimson
- Ann Annson
Specimen 04
Fake Notifications
One tap turns on notifications. What arrives has nothing to do with you — just an endless drip designed to pull you back.
Specimen 05
Segmented Email List
You just want to stop the emails. Instead of one switch, the unsubscribe page splits your subscription into twelve separate mailing lists.
Manage your subscriptions (uncheck each one)
Specimen 06
Share The Article
You are partway through an article when the text stops. To read the rest, there is a Share button — and only a Share button.
Researchers this week revealed a finding that could change how we understand sleep. The team tracked thousands of volunteers, and the results suggest…
Specimen 07
Desperate Friend Request
A single friendly-looking button invites you to connect with someone. It seems harmless enough to tap.
Tom Tomson
Specimen 08
UI Switcheroo
A sign-up asks you to confirm. The Yes and No buttons sit exactly where you expect — so you go to tap No.
Confirm sign-up and get reminders?
Specimen 09
Agree and…
After a sign-up form, one checkbox asks you to agree to the terms — the box almost everyone ticks without reading. Finish creating the account.
Create Account
Name: Bob Bobson
Date of Birth: 1/1/11
Role: Unemployed
Specimen 10
Contacts Spam
A one-tap social login promises to get you in fast. It looks like the convenient option everyone uses.
Specimen 11
Download Ads
You came to download one file. The page is covered in big, bright Download buttons — find the real one.
The good news: once you can spot a dark pattern, it mostly stops working on you. And the more people who learn to name them, the less any site can get away with using them.
Your visit
Untouched specimens are not counted.