4 ms·
This is basically what any discussion on dark patterns i have ever seen devolves into: "a service i use has an interaction i don't like. it's a dark pattern."
by notatoad 10y ago
This is basically what any discussion on dark patterns i have ever seen devolves into: "a service i use has an interaction i don't like. it's a dark pattern." the whole term is basically a meaningless buzzword now.
requiring an email address to access a service is no more of a dark pattern than requiring payment to access a service. they're taking something of value in exchange for providing something of value. it's only a "dark pattern" if they trick you into providing your email address somehow.
- nitrogen 10y agoLoading the content then redirecting to or popping over an uncloseable email form is a bait and switch, especially if you are coming from a search engine result.
- cmdrfred 10y agoExactly, its a SEO scam. I'm sure Google will figure out a way to stop it and give them the 40th page result they deserve.
- wldcordeiro 10y agoAlso it used to not be this way, there were more details hidden behind the login but the general info used to be accessible with no login, it's only in the recent months that they switched to hiding most content.
- angersock 10y agoThere is no guarantee that what they're providing will be anything of value--and in fact, usually isn't. Emails on the other hand can reliably fetch prices/be put to use.
- sliverstorm 10y agoIt's my impression that a dark pattern is not so much a con, and more like when a ballot is intentionally printed in such a way that a voter intending to vote for Obama is misled and unwittingly marks the ballot for Romney instead, or vica versa.
- devishard 10y agoThere is literally no way to use the email they took from me that isn't a dark pattern.