ShopTalk 686: Todd Libby on Deceptive Patterns
Oct 13, 2025
Todd Libby, a web developer and advocate for accessibility, discusses the impact of deceptive patterns, or 'dark patterns', used on websites today. He delves into the nuances of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and their potential to tackle these manipulative designs. From fake scarcity tactics to confusing wording, Todd highlights how these practices trap users. With a focus on ethics and legal implications, he emphasizes the responsibility of designers and the need for clearer guidelines to protect all users, especially those with diverse needs.
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Don't Use Fake Time Pressure
- Avoid fake countdowns and clearly distinguish essential timers from artificial ones.
- Refresh a page to check: if the timer resets, the urgency is likely deceptive.
Make Consent And Unsubscribe Simple
- Use clear, straightforward wording for choices and avoid double negatives in opt-ins.
- Present unsubscribe and consent options with plain language and one-click clarity.
Focus On Misinformation In User Flows
- Misinformation guidance targets interactive flows rather than broad published claims.
- WCAG aims to block deceptive steps inside processes like forms and cancellations, not general marketing lies.