Dark UX is deceptive UX/UI interactions that are intended to confuse or mislead users into doing something they don’t want to do. This strategy can help a product stand out and generate positive results for businesses. It can also be used to deceive the user into making decisions that aren’t necessarily good for them but are beneficial to the firm. Any design components that discreetly push the user in a certain way — a direction they didn’t want to take — are known as dark UX patterns. This could include adding unneeded items to their shopping cart, unintentionally subscribing to a newsletter, or revealing too much personal information. Dark UX focuses on the company’s own interests rather than designing with true customer empathy.
Dark patterns of several types
- Forced continuity.
- Disguised ads.
- Confirmshaming.
- Hidden costs.
- Privacy zuckering.
- Misdirection.
- Trick questions.