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While not disclosing that e-mail is optional is a dark pattern, it's still better than what almost every other site does, which is making it a hard requirement.
by tgsovlerkhgsel 5y ago
While not disclosing that e-mail is optional is a dark pattern, it's still better than what almost every other site does, which is making it a hard requirement.
Another dark pattern on Reddit is that the web version only allows you to open content in their app. If you already have a compatible third party reddit app installed, "open in app" just sends you to the Play store. (Normal behavior is that if you have an app that can open those links, that app opens).
I think Reddit has realized that they have more savvy users who would flee if forced the official app, risking the same fate as Digg, but they're trying to push every other user into their ad-infested app.
Ironically, the harder a company tries to push their app, the more obvious it is to me that I cannot under any circumstance allow it to be installed on my phone. They're clearly trying to do something (almost certainly against my interest) that they can't do without the app.
- PossiblyKyle 5y agoFrom what I know, reddit is not entirely to blame on its own on this. Apple's policy only lets the first party app open certain domains, like YouTube (please correct me if I'm mistaken) and Twitter. Overall, a decent workaround is an app called Opener (link to follow) which lets you switch to specific apps from the share sheet. Apollo also has this feature for reddit links specifically. However, I do agree that reddit's behavior beyond that is obnoxious. Opener link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/opener-open-links-in-apps/id989565871 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/opener-open-links-in-apps/id98...
- soneil 5y agoThat's a tough cookie to solve. So here's the hypothetical. I create a trashware game app. Typical low-hanging fruit. I set it as a handler for amazon.com links. Then in my app I handle these links in a convincing web container. And obvious, mangle the links with my referrer URL in the process. I call this a hypothetical, but the only reason it is, is that apple wouldn't allow me to register as a handler for amazon.com.
- the_lucifer 5y agoIncidentally this is also one of the arguments that people point to for App Store lockdown. Otherwise, they claim that there would be nothing stopping you from making such a "trashware game app" and injecting referral links.