Dark Pattern

An interface deliberately designed to trick users into doing something they didn’t mean to, like hidden costs, forced continuity, or hard-to-find opt-outs.

Why it matters

It is the difference between persuasion and deception: persuasion respects the user’s ability to say no. Dark patterns convert this quarter and bill the brand forever — and regulators have started collecting: several of them are now named, banned, and fined.

Spot it

Same dialog, same choice — watch what happens to the wording and the weights.

The numbers

Confirmshaming, roach motel, hidden costs, forced continuity — the classic taxonomy
Named in law — the EU and the FTC now fine several patterns

Related terms

Gestalt Principles
Mental Model

Go deeper in Learn UX

Identify Deceptive Patterns Flows, Storyboards & Wireframes

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