Dark Patterns Symbiosis Bright Patterns
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Choice Overload

Choice Overload subverts the user’s expectation that the choices they make should be understandable and comparable, instead providing too many options to compare or encouraging users to overlook relevant information due to the volume of choices provided.
Choice Overload
Illustration

Interaction Contexts

  • consent
  • privacy
  • settings

Harmed Goals

  • comprehension
  • control

Symbiosis

Bright alternatives to this dark pattern

  • Lean Processes
    Keep processes as simple and short as possible for the user.
    View pair →
  • Unambiguous Choices
    Design options with simple, clear language so users know exactly what each action will do.
    View pair →

Examples

Selfmade Example

The user is presented many plans with varying cost and complex feature structure.
The user is presented many plans with varying cost and complex feature structure.

Selfmade Example

Multiple preselected datasharing options are adverticed with great benefits, that are likely false
Multiple preselected datasharing options are adverticed with great benefits, that are likely false

Sources

Dark Pattern Ontology adapted from Gray et al. (CHI ’24)

Inferred

Pattern Levels

High-Level Patterns Strategy Domain & Context Diagnostic (abstract)

High-level patterns include general strategies that can be employed through a range of modalities and technologies and application types

Meso-Level Patterns Angle of Attack Domain & Context Diagnostic (interpretable)

Meso-level patterns describe a context-agnostic angle of attack and may be interpreted in relation to context based on the specific modality or application type

Low-Level Patterns Means of Execution Domain & Context Specific (situated)

Low-level patterns are situated and contextually dependent, including specific means of execution

Diagram: High (strategy, diagnostic), Meso (angle of attack, still diagnostic), Low (means of execution, context specific). Integrated textual descriptions appear within each layer.

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Paul Bertram 2026
Impressum Datenschutz

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Sources

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Pattern Levels

High-Level Patterns Strategy Domain & Context Diagnostic (abstract)

High-level patterns include general strategies that can be employed through a range of modalities and technologies and application types

Meso-Level Patterns Angle of Attack Domain & Context Diagnostic (interpretable)

Meso-level patterns describe a context-agnostic angle of attack and may be interpreted in relation to context based on the specific modality or application type

Low-Level Patterns Means of Execution Domain & Context Specific (situated)

Low-level patterns are situated and contextually dependent, including specific means of execution

Diagram: High (strategy, diagnostic), Meso (angle of attack, still diagnostic), Low (means of execution, context specific). Integrated textual descriptions appear within each layer.