Trust & Authority Abuse
Bait and Switch
The button promised one thing. The next screen has other ambitions.
What is it?
The user is led to expect one outcome, then the interface delivers a different action, offer, price, or commitment.
How it works
The pattern changes the cost of thinking. It makes the preferred action immediate, emotionally charged, or visually dominant, while making the more reflective action slower, duller, or easier to doubt.
Visual Example
A simplified specimen designed to make the pattern recognizable at a glance.
Download page switch
visual specimen
UX Audit Template
A downloadable checklist.
What actually happens
Looked easy, right?
The download button opens a registration.
Psychology
Real World Example
- A download button opens an installer upsell.
- A free template leads to a required subscription step.
Origin: Download sites, lead funnels, trial products, and affiliate pages.
Ethical Alternative
Make the outcome of each action explicit and keep promises across every step of the flow.
Toxicity Meter
Manipulation dimensions