Web 'Dark Patterns' Negatively Affect Consumer Experiences

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission in the past few years identified what it described as “sophisticated dark patterns” that can trick or manipulate consumers into buying products or services, or giving up their privacy.

The practices as defined by the agency are common among a variety of websites, according to a study by website-hosting company KnownHost. As media companies expand their ecommerce capabilities, they must recognize how dark patterns will negatively affect consumer experiences and their perceptions of brands.