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⚠️ Satirical Exposure

Dark Patterns Index

Ten working demonstrations of manipulative UX patterns commonly used in SaaS products. Each demo shows the dark pattern in action, labels which category it belongs to, and explains what ethical UX looks like instead.

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Nagging

Daily Login Streak Engine

Persistent countdown timers and loss-aversion messaging designed to force daily engagement.

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Forced Action

Action Point (AP) System

Artificial resource gating that requires users to pay or wait to access basic functionality.

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Interface Interference

Artificial Processing Delays

Fake loading spinners added to make trivial operations feel complex and valuable.

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Obstruction

The Shadow Progress Bar

A progress bar permanently stuck at 98%, hiding requirements the user can never realistically complete.

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Sneaking

The Analytics Gacha

Standard product features like CSV export locked behind a rigged probability spin mechanic.

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Sneaking

Multi-Currency Layering

Three abstract currencies with opaque conversion rates designed to obscure real costs.

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Social Engineering

Shame-Based Opt-Outs

Guilt-inducing decline copy that makes users feel bad for choosing not to subscribe.

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Social Engineering

Social Proof Fabricator

An infinite ticker of entirely fabricated user activity designed to manufacture FOMO.

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Interface Interference

Deceptive Cookie Consent

A cookie banner where every action — including 'Reject' and 'Customize' — accepts everything.

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Obstruction

Hidden Unsubscribe

An unsubscribe link buried in dense low-contrast text, gated behind a paid-tier requirement.

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All patterns are satirical demonstrations. Don't build this. Build better.