Dark Pattern Scanner
See the tricks websites don't want you to notice.
What it does
Dark Pattern Scanner detects manipulative design tricks on any webpage. Click the icon, scan the page, and see exactly what's being used to influence your decisions, with plain-language explanations of each trick and navigation to the exact element on the page.
What it detects
13 categories of manipulative design, split between text analysis and structural DOM inspection.
Text-based detection
Confirmshaming
Decline buttons that use guilt to manipulate your choice.
Forced Continuity
Auto-renewal and trial-to-paid conversion buried in fine print.
Hidden Costs
Fees and charges revealed late or in small text.
Roach Motel
Easy to sign up, deliberately hard to cancel.
Fake Urgency
"Only 2 left!", "Selling fast!", "Limited time!"
Misdirection
"Recommended" and "Best Value" labels steering you to expensive options.
Trick Wording
Double negatives and confusing opt-out language.
Privacy Zuckering
Nudges pushing you to share unnecessary personal data.
Structural detection (DOM analysis)
Pre-checked Opt-ins
Checkboxes already ticked for marketing or data sharing.
Countdown Timers
Timers creating artificial deadlines.
Button Asymmetry
Accept buttons designed to overpower decline buttons.
Hidden Form Fields
Invisible inputs collecting data you didn't provide.
Sneaky Defaults
Forms pre-set to the most expensive or permissive option.
Privacy
Everything runs locally in your browser. No data is collected, transmitted, or stored on any server. No account required. No tracking. No analytics.
Get Dark Pattern Scanner
Submitted to the Chrome Web Store. Available soon.