Dark Patterns catalogs examples of deceptive interface design, organized by category.
Dark Patterns Detective
Dark Patterns Detective teaches users to spot manipulative design tactics through an interactive game.
About Dark Patterns Detective
Dark Patterns Detective is a browser-based game that walks players through eight realistic online flows — checkouts, sign-ups and cancellation screens — and asks them to spot the manipulative design tactic in each one. After a player identifies the trick, the game shows an honest version of the same flow for comparison. The whole run takes about five minutes, and the site is in English. Pricing is not stated on the homepage.
Key features
- Eight scenarios covering checkout, sign-up and cancel flows
- Playthrough of roughly five minutes
- Spot-the-trick prompts during each scenario
- Honest version shown after each trick is found
- Explains how design plays on human instincts
- English-language game played in a web browser
Best for: Shoppers and product-curious users who want a quick, hands-on way to recognize manipulative interface design in everyday online flows.
Good for
- Very short time commitment, about five minutes for all scenarios
- Uses realistic checkout, sign-up and cancellation flows rather than abstract examples
- Pairs each manipulative pattern with an honest version of the same screen
Watch out for
- Content is limited to eight scenarios as described on the homepage
- Available only in English and only in a web browser
- Pricing for the site is not stated
Dark Patterns Detective at a glance
- Category
- Lifestyle & Hobbies › Shopping & Deals
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Dark Patterns Detective alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Popular in Shopping & Deals
Well-known listings from the same topic.
DIY-Audio-Heavendiyaudioheaven.wordpress.comPC Monitorspcmonitors.infoPen Addictpenaddict.comBricklinkbricklink.comBricksetbrickset.comGensbotgensbot.com
Dark Patterns Detective FAQ
How long does the game take?
The homepage lists eight scenarios and an estimated play time of about five minutes.
What kinds of screens does it cover?
The scenarios are based on realistic checkouts, sign-ups and cancel flows.
What happens after I spot a dark pattern?
You see the honest version of the same flow alongside the trick.
Is something wrong or out of date?
Tell us and an editor will check it.
Own this website?
Claim this listing
Claim the listing and suggest updates yourself. An editor checks every claim first.