How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed • Hacker News Board

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#11

Post by pelagicAustral » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:03 PM UTC

realjohng wrote: post #5

Canceling AOL back I’m the day was impossible. It took a phone call and they would bully you to not cancel. Thanks for the post- these tactics should be called out.

Cancelling my Times (UK) sub was almost impossible. They also make you call them, and then if you have enough will power you can get past the flurry of "N months free service", "half-price for the next year", and whatever else they can throw at you to make you reconsider your unquestionably hesitant stance.

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#12

Post by jasmer » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:03 PM UTC

We need more regs about this, it's ridiculous.

It's so bad that I'm completely afraid to get out my credit card for whatever reason.

Thanks for putting this together but interfering with scrolling, although maybe less impactful, is probably more annoying.

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#13

Post by eli » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:03 PM UTC

"Deceptive patterns" is now the preferred term for what used to be called "dark patterns"

It's both more descriptive and avoids equating "dark" to "bad". I've also heard "hostile patterns" as an umbrella term that covers deceptive patterns as well as careless UX problems like a design that isn't accessible.

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#14

Post by ouid » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:04 PM UTC

graypegg wrote: post #3

I heard someone say a while back that “cancelled customers are just potential future customers”. Anyone that’s had an easy cancellation process will remember that flexibility if they ever need that service again. No idea why no large subscription service seems to understand that. Make me go thru annoying hoops and you’ve lost me for good!

Well, exploiting brand loyalty is also a dark pattern. The better your brand, the more you can sell it for.

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#15

Post by mikestew » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:05 PM UTC

scottmcleod wrote: post #4

Yeah just look at BBB reviews for subscription companies...

Or better yet, don't. One has no reason to take the Better Business Bureau seriously. There was no reason 30 years ago when I, as a business owner, signed up for it, no reason now. "Ooooh, you'll report me to the BBB, those three senior citizens that actually look at that might not do business with me!"

Plus, I looked up Amazon: A-. What was I supposed to see here?

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#16

Post by pelagicAustral » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:05 PM UTC

lotsofpulp wrote: post #8

pelagicAustral wrote: post #2

No shit! As an anecdote just yesterday I fell for the premium meme on LinkedIn... I could just not stand the idea of not knowing who visited my profile! (how weak of me), they literally charged me 20 bucks (half price) for a month of premium, I bet I will completely forget to cancel the sub next month and I will end up paying 40 dollars for a few more months until I finally decide its been enough... Also, fell for Sp…

Are any of those dark patterns? They all seem very transparent. Set a reminder to cancel the subscription.

You're probably right... I suppose at the very least I could label them as "predatory". But yeah, still more a personal problem there, duly noted.

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#17

Post by Damogran6 » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:05 PM UTC

taude wrote: post #6

pelagicAustral wrote: post #2

No shit! As an anecdote just yesterday I fell for the premium meme on LinkedIn... I could just not stand the idea of not knowing who visited my profile! (how weak of me), they literally charged me 20 bucks (half price) for a month of premium, I bet I will completely forget to cancel the sub next month and I will end up paying 40 dollars for a few more months until I finally decide its been enough... Also, fell for Sp…

I typically add calendar reminders the moment I find myself signing up for something. Current reminders: Cancel Peacock by n-Date; Don't renew Tidal by foo; Downgrade YouTube premium on n;

Dear Lord, Youtube.

Annoying Ad plays Saaay, we can make those ads go away, for just a little money.

It's like paying the mob to make sure nothing happens to your store (by the mob)

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#18

Post by [deleted] » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:05 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#19

Post by parksoha » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:06 PM UTC

lotsofpulp wrote: post #8

pelagicAustral wrote: post #2

No shit! As an anecdote just yesterday I fell for the premium meme on LinkedIn... I could just not stand the idea of not knowing who visited my profile! (how weak of me), they literally charged me 20 bucks (half price) for a month of premium, I bet I will completely forget to cancel the sub next month and I will end up paying 40 dollars for a few more months until I finally decide its been enough... Also, fell for Sp…

Are any of those dark patterns? They all seem very transparent. Set a reminder to cancel the subscription.

If the company is forcing you to put reminders instead of just letting you cancel right away, that's a dark pattern. I do not know about Linkedin, but I've seen plenty doing this, like Amazon.

Re: How companies use dark patterns to keep you subscribed

#20

Post by JohnFen » Thu, May 04, 2023, 3:07 PM UTC

Signing up for subscriptions is rarely a good idea.