13 Dark UX Patterns Checklist13 Dark UX Patterns Checklist13 dark UX patterns to avoid if you don’t want to spook your users!

Confirmshaming: Are you using language that tries to shame the user for wanting to opt-out of something?

Check the boxes if your product does NOT have the following:

Tricky questions: Are you asking the users confusing questions, trying to make them do what you want them to?

Disguised ads: Are there ads that disguise themselves as part of the product?

Forced continuity: When a user’s free trial has expired, are they getting charged without warning?

Hiding costs: Are you hiding extra costs such as delivery fees until the very last stage of the checkout process?

Sneaking into a purchase: Are you trying to sneak an additional item into the user’s bag?

Trapping: Are you making it very hard for the user to opt-out of something?

Misdirection: Are you trying to lead users into doing things that they don’t want, such as highlighting a more expensive option over the others?

Baiting and switching: Are you asking the users confusing questions, trying to make them do what you want them to?

Privacy: Are you trying to trick users into publically sharing more about themselves than they intended to?

Hidden options: Are you hiding things like subscription checkboxes from the user or unsubscription links?

Bewildering Language: Are you purposefully using language that is unclear or complicated to prevent users from canceling or opting out of something?

Using Fear: Are you using language that tries to scare the user of what will happen if they choose to opt-out of something?