Dark Pattern Acceptability & Transparency Trust Survey

Welcome, and thank you for your interest in this study. This survey explores your recent online experiences, reactions to common website and app design practices, and your transparency preferences. It takes approximately 7–10 minutes to complete. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may stop at any time without consequence. There are no right or wrong answers — we are interested in your honest opinions. All responses are confidential, will be anonymized, and reported only in aggregate for research purposes.

In the past 30 days, have you used any websites or apps to shop, book, or start or modify a subscription?

• Yes
• No

The following scenarios describe common design practices you may encounter online. Please read each one carefully and rate how acceptable you find it.

Which of the following transparency features matter most to you when using websites or apps? Select all that apply.

• Clear total price shown upfront
• Easy cancellation in one or two steps
• Plain-language data use summary
• Consent toggles set to off by default
• No auto-added items in cart
• Prominent labels for ads or sponsored content
• Change log for pricing or policy updates
• Other (please specify in the next question)

Describe a recent time when a website or app influenced your choice in a way you found concerning or unclear. What happened, and how did you respond?

What is your age group?

• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65+
• Prefer not to say

Thank you for your time — your input helps inform the design of clearer, more trustworthy online experiences. You may now close this survey.

Which of the following types of websites or apps have you used in the past 30 days? Select all that apply.

• Retail or marketplace websites
• Mobile shopping apps
• Food delivery apps
• Travel or ticket booking sites
• Streaming or media subscriptions
• Social media shops
• Utilities, bill pay, or banking apps
• Other

Imagine you are shopping online. A product page shows a 10-minute countdown timer, after which a discount will no longer be available. How acceptable do you find this design practice?

If you selected 'Other' above, please describe the transparency feature you value.

Based on your responses in this survey, please share any additional thoughts or feelings about persuasive design practices or transparency in your online experiences. Our AI moderator may ask a follow-up question to better understand your perspective.

What is your gender?

• Woman
• Man
• Non-binary
• Prefer to self-describe
• Prefer not to say

In the past 30 days, how often did you encounter a website or app design that felt misleading or manipulative (e.g., hidden fees, hard-to-cancel subscriptions, urgency messages)?

Imagine you are completing an online purchase. Additional fees (e.g., service charges or handling fees) appear for the first time on the final checkout step. How acceptable do you find this design practice?

To what extent do clear, transparent practices influence your trust in a brand?

If you selected 'Prefer to self-describe' above, please specify your gender.

Imagine you are about to check out online. An add-on product (e.g., extended warranty or accessory) has been pre-selected in your cart, increasing the total unless you remove it. How acceptable do you find this design practice?

When choosing which brand or website to purchase from, rank the following factors from most important (1) to least important (5).

1. Price and value for money
2. Product or service quality
3. Ease of use
4. Transparency and clarity of information
5. Brand reputation and trustworthiness

In which region do you currently live?

• North America
• Europe
• Latin America
• Asia
• Africa
• Oceania
• Middle East
• Prefer not to say

Thinking about the three scenarios you just rated, to what extent would encountering these practices reduce your likelihood of completing a purchase?

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than high school
• High school or equivalent
• Some college or Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Postgraduate degree
• Prefer not to say

Please rank the following design practices from most concerning (1) to least concerning (6).

1. Fees shown only at final checkout
2. Hard-to-find unsubscribe or cancel steps
3. Countdown timers or urgent messaging
4. Low-stock or scarcity claims
5. Pre-selected add-ons
6. Ambiguous or unclear buttons

What is your current employment status?

• Employed full-time
• Employed part-time
• Self-employed
• Unemployed and looking for work
• Student
• Retired
• Homemaker or caregiver
• Prefer not to say