Howdy everyone! I’m a User Experience Design Master’s student researching deceptive design in dating apps. Specifically whether people feel manipulated by certain features and interface choices while using the apps.
I am looking for research participants to share their experiences with me. I have written a survey that I hope will gauge the average user’s understanding of these deceptive designs in action.
The survey takes around 15–20 minutes and is completely anonymous. It explores experiences with app features such as swiping, prompts, notifications, pricing, and overall interface design.
A key part of my research is raising awareness of how design can shape the dating app experience, and whether some users may internalise negative experiences that should actually be attributed to the app’s design rather than their own “flaws”. We shouldn’t be at a point where we have to seek out how to “hack” the algorithm, curate the perfect bio, or question our appearance or self-worth because of the apps. The apps are designed for increased engagement and monetisation and I hope that by surfacing these invisible mechanics people will gain a bit more confidence and realise they’re not the problem – the app design is.
If you’ve used the apps, I’d really appreciate your perspective.
https://vuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_39Qc4BYQKJo198G
Please feel free to message be if you’d like more info on my research.