Social Engineering
Like-gating
Double-tap to reveal. Now tap again. And again.
What is it?
Content, features, or information are locked behind a required like, share, follow, or comment. Each gate makes the next easier to walk through, turning passive browsing into active promotion.
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.
Content locked behind a like
visual specimen
Tap ♥ to reveal
The perfect summer glow
A simple 3-step routine.
Psychology
Real World Example
- Tap heart to reveal the answer.
- Share with 3 friends to unlock the full guide.
- Follow to continue reading this thread.
Origin: Social media, recipe sites, quiz platforms, and content marketing funnels.
Ethical Alternative
Reveal content freely and let users engage because they find value, not because the interface locks value behind a transaction.
Toxicity Meter
Manipulation dimensions