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On 20 November 2025, 26 major Indian e-commerce platforms made a notable pledge. Several leading companies, including Flipkart and Zomato, publicly declared that they have audited and removed manipulative design features commonly referred to as 'dark patterns'.
These guidelines identify 13 distinct dark-pattern types, such as false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm-shaming, forced action, subscription traps, interface interference, bait & switch, drip pricing, disguised advertisements, nagging, trick wording, SaaS billing and rogue malware. Let’s learn about where these dark patterns are and what an e-commerce development company should keep in mind while developing a platform.
In e-commerce and digital marketplaces, 'dark patterns' refer to design choices in websites or apps that intentionally steer or trick users into actions they might not otherwise have taken, such as subscribing to a service, buying more than they intended, or inadvertently sharing personal information.
The 2023 guidelines define them as 'any practices or deceptive design patterns using user interface or user experience interactions, that are designed to mislead or trick users to do something they originally did not intend or want to do, by subverting or impairing the consumer autonomy, decision-making or choice'.
o False urgency: A banner saying 'Only 2 items left!' when in reality dozens are pressuring a buyer to act now. The guidelines list false urgency explicitly.
o Basket sneaking: Adding extra items (e.g., insurance, services) into a user’s shopping cart without clear consent.
o Subscription trap: Signing up customers for a recurring service when they meant a one-time purchase.
o Drip pricing: Displaying a low base price and then incrementally adding fees (shipping, service) only later in checkout.
o Confirm shaming: Using an interface that makes the user feel guilty for opting-out ('No, I’m okay with paying more').
o Bait and switch: Offering one thing (e.g., 'free shipping') but switching it to another (e.g., conditional free shipping) at checkout.
To detect dark patterns on an e-commerce site or app, ask the following questions.
1.Am I being rushed or pressured? If the interface says 'Hurry! Only X items left!' or 'Offer expires in 00:10', ask whether this is genuine.
2.Is something being added automatically? If extras (warranties, subscriptions) are pre-checked or auto-added, that’s a red flag.
3.Is pricing transparent? If the initial price seems low but hidden costs appear later in the funnel, this may be drip pricing.
4.Can I easily opt out? If opting out is hidden behind confusing links or wording designed to make you feel guilty, that’s confirm-shaming.
5.Is the wording manipulative? Trick wording or disguised advertisements hide the true meaning from the user.
For any brand building or expanding e-commerce operations, whether as an online clothing brand development company, an e-commerce development services provider, or a full-service e-commerce development agency, sticking to dark-pattern-free design is legal compliance and strategic.
1.Builds trust & brand credibility
When consumers feel they’re treated fairly and transparently, they’re more likely to return, refer others, and become loyal. A website developed with clarity can be done through Magento ecommerce development, Shopify ecommerce development, or other platforms, improving the user experience and strengthening trust.
2.Positive long-term business results
Manipulative tactics may yield short-term conversions, but they risk backlash as disgruntled users, negative reviews, and regulatory action. By being transparent, you avoid the risk of being named for unfair practices.
3.Compliance with regulation
As India’s CCPA guidelines show, regulators are increasingly targeting dark patterns. For any e-commerce business, especially operating in India, compliance matters to avoid penalties and reputational damage.
When you’re engaged in ecommerce site development, be it for a DTC clothing brand, a multi-vendor marketplace, or any online storefront, here are actionable guidelines to make sure a dark-pattern-free build.
1.Start with a user-centred UX audit
Before coding begins, run a UX review with map user flows and locate any friction or pressure points. Ask, Where might the user feel rushed, misled, or trapped? This is particularly relevant for e-commerce development services and Magento e-commerce development efforts.
2.Transparent pricing & checkout flows
Apply practices below, no matter the stack: Shopify, Magento, or custom build.
o Display full price, including shipping/taxes, as early as possible.
o Avoid hidden fees that appear only at the final checkout step.
o Clearly mark optional add-ons and do not auto-select extras.
3.Clear opt-in/opt-out controls
This is particularly essential for subscription-based plugins or services integrated into the site.
o Make subscription checkboxes unchecked by default, and label them clearly.
o Provide a simple cancellation path.
o Don’t guilt-trip users via confirm-shaming.
4.Avoid unnecessary urgency or scarcity tactics
o If you display 'Only X left', confirm it’s accurate.
o Avoid countdown timers that reset when the page refreshes.
o Design flows so that the user can take the time they need, not feel pushed.
5.Provide visible, accessible refund/cancellation policies
Make your returns policy easy to locate. When you’re building an e-commerce platform, especially if your e-commerce development agency is involved in clothing brand setups, this reduces friction and builds confidence.
The recent declarations by Indian e-commerce giants such as Flipkart and Zomato mark a watershed moment in acknowledging that interface design matters not just for conversion rates but for fairness, autonomy and user respect.
For any brand or agency working in e-commerce, especially in domains like e-commerce development services, Shopify ecommerce development or Magento ecommerce development, the thing to make sure it is dark-pattern free. When you next plan a new store, marketplace or clothing brand site, keep this top of mind - build it to users' needs but not pressure them.
