Deceptive Patterns
‹ All examples Experts Exchange

Expert’s Exchange: Fake Paywall.

Author
Gray et al.
Date
29 Aug 2013
Publisher
UXP2 Lab

“The site makes it appear that the answer to the question is behind a paywall, but it is really at the bottom of the page, which is accessible without paying. The website is trying to trick users into paying for a subscription.”

Experts Exchange was catalogued by the UXP2 Lab over a fake paywall on its question pages. According to the entry, the site makes it appear that the answer to a question is locked behind a paywall, when in fact the answer is at the bottom of the page and accessible without paying, with the effect of encouraging users to pay for a subscription.

Disclaimer: examples in the Hall of Shame are generally drawn from public submissions and cited sources; they have not been independently verified and may contain inaccuracies. They are presented as illustrations of design patterns, not findings of fact, unlawful conduct, or intent.