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● MEDIUM #DW-028 Emotional Manipulation

Shaming Metrics

Comparing users to others to make them feel inadequate and drive purchases.

What Is Shaming Metrics?

Shaming Metrics is a dark pattern that falls into the Emotional Manipulation category. Comparing users to others to make them feel inadequate and drive purchases. By exploiting specific cognitive biases, companies use this manipulative design technique to push users into decisions they wouldn't normally make.

Real-World Examples

✗ Dark Pattern

An interface employing the Shaming Metrics pattern purposely obscures the right choice and heavily pushes the user toward the manipulative action.

✓ Ethical Alternative

Clear, neutral design where all choices are presented equally without misleading framing or forced actions.

Severity Assessment

6.4

MEDIUM — Based on its impact on user autonomy and potential financial or privacy harm, this pattern is rated as MEDIUM.

Remediation

Replacing Shaming Metrics with ethical UX involves:

  1. Prioritizing user transparency and informed consent.
  2. Making opt-outs as easy as opt-ins.
  3. Removing asymmetric visual weights from critical choices.

Think your product might use Shaming Metrics? Book a UX audit →

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