Because Even Your Users Deserve a Break from Digital Dumpster Fires
UX design has come a long way, but it’s far from perfect. For every innovation, there’s a cringe-worthy blunder—like relentless pop-ups or overly eager notifications—still haunting users. It’s 2025, yet some apps feel stuck in 2010, ignoring the demand for seamless, enjoyable experiences.
Outdated practices like dark patterns, clunky navigation, and endless loading spinners need to go. So, let’s dive into the top 10 UX crimes overdue for retirement. Whether you’re a designer, developer, or just tired of surprise video ads at full blast, this one’s for you—with a sprinkle of humor (and bad dad jokes) to soften the blow. Let’s clean up the digital mess!
The Revenge of the Pop-Ups—Street Hawkers of the Internet
Pop-ups. Bold, brash, and somehow always in your face. Once a cutting-edge marketing tool, now they’re the digital equivalent of that guy on the sidewalk aggressively trying to hand you a flyer for a nightclub you’ll never go to. Flashy? Yes. Effective? Not really.
Imagine this scenario: You click on a website, ready to explore its valuable treasure trove of content, only to be ambushed by a pop-up offering you “10% off” before you’ve even seen what they sell. Didn’t ask. Didn’t need. Didn’t want. It’s like walking into a store and getting tackled by a salesperson trying to sign you up for their loyalty program before you even spot the shopping carts.
Then there’s the infamous e-learning platform of 2023, which turned the pop-up game into an Olympic event. Discount offers, newsletter sign-ups, and feedback forms lined up like an army, ready to pounce the moment a visitor arrived. No surprise that their bounce rate soared by 53%. Oh, and the users who stayed likely resembled contestants on a game show playing “Pop-Up Whack-A-Mole.”
Why Can’t Companies Quit Pop-Ups?
Because, unfortunately, they often work—like cheap fast food. You may get that quick dopamine hit of leads or conversions, but the long-term damage? A bloated bounce rate and a bad aftertaste in user trust. By comparison, companies like Amazon in 2022 nailed the pop-up game with restraint and precision. Instead of yelling “SALE!” into your ear, they introduced subtle nudges like personalized price alerts. Think of it as your digital butler quietly appearing to notify you that the item you’ve been eyeing is now on sale. Users weren’t annoyed—they felt cared for—and Amazon saw a 12% increase in conversions.
Steve Krug’s wisdom rings true here, “If something requires a large investment of time—or looks like it will—it’s less likely to be used.” Pop-ups that look and feel like a tax return disguised as a “quick sign-up” form? Nobody’s biting.
How to Fix the Pop-Up Pileup:
- Stop Being Pushy: Not every visitor needs a pop-up shoved in their face right away. Use behavior-based triggers like exit intent or page scroll percentage.
- Switch to Subtlety: Replace loud pop-ups with quiet alternatives like sticky headers or bottom-screen banners. You know, the kind that says, “Hey, I’m here if you need me,” instead of screaming, “LOOK AT ME NOW!”
- Or Maybe… Skip It Entirely: Imagine a world without pop-ups. Intriguing, isn’t it? Thoughtful user experiences often don’t require interruptions.
Pop-ups don’t have to be the internet’s loudest street hawkers. They can evolve into that friend who silently points out a dressing tag sticking out of your shirt—helpful, kind, and way less annoying.
Notification Overload—When Apps Turn Into Clingy Roommates
Notifications are supposed to help us. A little nudge here, a quick reminder there—that’s the dream. But in reality? They’re more like the overly clingy roommate who knocks on your door every five minutes to ask if you want to watch a movie, do laundry together, or discuss the universe’s mysteries.
Take Facebook, for example, the reigning king of “notifications gone wild.” It doesn’t just ping you for meaningful updates—it insists on notifying you about every mildly blurry photo you were tagged in, events happening halfway across the world, and that one time your college roommate liked a cat video. Necessary? Hardly. Now your notification tray looks like it lost a game of Jenga, and your sanity isn’t far behind.
One fitness app in 2021 even managed to top this madness. It churned out hourly reminders to hydrate, breathe, stretch, log meals, and probably floss your teeth. A user reviewer perfectly described the experience as training for “a marathon in dodging spam alerts.” Unsurprisingly, uninstall rates went through the roof.
Why Overloading Notifications Hurts
Because just like that roommate’s constant interruptions, notification overload doesn’t build trust—it torpedoes it. Users mute or uninstall apps faster than you can say, “Your monthly usage report!” Worse, poorly timed alerts turn what could’ve been helpful into straight-up annoyance.
Contrast that with Slack, which has mastered the art of notification Zen. With its “Focus Zones” feature rolled out in 2023, Slack lets users silence irrelevant notifications during critical work hours. Think of it as an app quietly putting itself on “Do Not Disturb,” like a polite neighbor who knows when to stop mowing their lawn. Users loved it, engagement jumped 18%, and Slack quietly reminded everyone why thoughtfulness wins.
How to Fix Notification Overload:
- Quality Over Quantity: Make every notification so relevant that users actually look forward to it. If they wouldn’t ask for it, they probably don’t want it.
- User-Controlled Alerts: Allow users the option to pick and choose what they care about. Personalized settings > one-size-fits-none.
- Silence as a Feature: Borrow a page from Slack’s playbook—use smart features like focus modes or summarize key updates in batches instead of constant pings.
Nobody hates getting notified. What they hate is being bombarded with noise masquerading as updates. The reality is, there’s a fine line between “helpful” and “harassment,” and it’s time apps learned some boundaries. Turns out, peace and quiet? Highly underrated.
Overcomplicated Navigation—The Digital Corn Maze
You know that sinking feeling when you enter a website, click around, and suddenly find yourself utterly lost? Congratulations—you’ve just entered the UX equivalent of a haunted corn maze. Overcomplicated navigation takes something simple, like “Find the Contact Us page,” and turns it into an escape room puzzle with missing clues.
Case in point: a language-learning app in 2021 took the concept of “challenging” way too far. Want to start a lesson? First, locate the drop-down menu labeled with a cryptic icon, then scroll through endless subcategories, and voilà—you’ve unlocked the button… if you’re lucky. Predictably, users roasted the app in reviews, and its star rating nosedived to a painful 1.9.
Compare that to Google Meet’s 2021 redesign. Before, users felt like archaeologists unearthing hidden tools (“Where is the recording button?!”). Post-redesign, Google embraced simplicity with big, friendly action buttons for key features. No map required. The result? A 24% boost in user retention and zero complaints about needing a treasure-hunting license.
Good navigation doesn’t just move you around—it guides you like a helpful tour guide with a sturdy flashlight. Bad navigation? That’s the spooky basement stairwell with no sign and an ominous creak.
How to Fix Your Navigation Nightmare:
- Highlight Essentials: Place key actions front and center. If users have to dig through submenus to find their exit, they’re not exiting—they’re abandoning.
- Stick to Standards: Take a cue from fast-food drive-thru menus—clear, predictable, and easy enough to read while half awake.
- User Testing is Key: Tools like Treejack can help validate your navigation structure before your app turns into UX purgatory.
The golden rule? If grandma can’t find it in under three clicks, it might be time to rethink your layout. Because no visitor wants to spend their afternoon reenacting The Maze Runner just to find where “About Us” lives.
Animations Gone Wild—The Glitter Bombs of UX
Animations in design are like special effects in movies—when done right, they add flair, drama, and polish. But when overused? Welcome to sensory overload, where everything’s sparkly, jittery, and just a tad obnoxious.
Picture this—you’re trying to browse a luxurious clothing site, and with every scroll, text zooms, images explode, and the whole page feels like it’s auditioning for an action movie. Glamorous? Maybe. Useful? Definitely not. Cue Gucci’s infamous 2022 site redesign, where some users reported needing aspirin after trying to check out a simple handbag. Style should never come with a side of vertigo.
On the flip side, consider Medium, the glass of chamomile tea in a world of triple espresso animations. Their page transitions are snappy and smooth, drawing focus to what matters most—the content. No animated fireworks, no exaggerated pizzazz. Just enough movement to guide the user’s eyes without sending them spiraling into a light show.
Why Animation Abuse Fails?
Because while glitter bombs grab attention, they distract from usability. Instead of helping users focus, over-the-top animations bury important elements under layers of unnecessary dazzle. Worse, heavy, complex animations can devastate load times. And nobody is sticking around to watch your homepage assemble itself like Optimus Prime, no matter how cool it looks.
How to Fix Your Navigation Nightmare:
- Apply Sparingly: Use animations like you’d use hot sauce—enough to enhance, but not so much that people regret the experience.
- Prioritize Functionality: Animations should serve a clear purpose—highlighting action buttons, confirming an interaction, or directing attention to key areas. If it’s just “because it looks cool,” rethink it.
- Test Across Devices: What’s graceful on a desktop might lag horribly on mobile or turn into a choppy, painful mess. Pro tip—smooth transitions > flashy gimmicks.
The rule of thumb? Animations shouldn’t scream, “LOOK AT ME!” They should whisper, “This way, please.” Done right, they can bring elegance and clarity to your UX. Done wrong, they’ll leave your users reaching for the “Close Tab” button faster than a pop-up ad.
Loading Spinners—The Circle of (Digital) Doom
Ah, the loading spinner—a minimalist little circle that says, “Hang tight,” while your patience says, “Hurry up.” These unassuming animations have been around since the dawn of slow internet, trying to soothe us as we wait. But more often than not, they backfire, turning the user experience into suspenseful torture.
Imagine visiting your bank’s website to check your balance. You click the login button, and there it is—the spinner. Around and around it goes, like a hammy magician dragging out the “big reveal.” Seconds stretch into eons. By the time your account info loads, you’ve aged five years and possibly canceled all your subscriptions just out of spite.
Contrast this with Facebook’s 2020 move to skeleton screens. Instead of a boring spinner, Facebook shows grayed-out placeholders resembling content. This gives your brain the illusion of progress, fooling you into thinking things are happening faster. The result? Frustration turns to curiosity, and people stay put instead of bouncing.
Why Spinners Drive Us Crazy
The problem isn’t just the wait—it’s the mystery. A spinner says, “Something’s happening…” but what and how long will it take? It leaves users staring into the void of uncertainty. Even worse, long wait times without context feel disrespectful, as if the site assumes you’ve got all day to twiddle your thumbs. Spoiler alert: nobody does.
How to Fix Loading Blues:
- Show Them the Progress: Replace vague spinners with progress bars or estimated times. A bar that’s 75% full does wonders for patience—users can see the finish line.
- Break It Into Pieces: Use loading indicators that explain what’s happening, like “Loading account details…” followed by “Fetching recent transactions….” This transparency wins trust.
- Make It Entertaining: If all else fails, inject a bit of fun. Apps like Duolingo distract users with quirky animations or trivia while loading, turning frustration into delight.
Loading doesn’t have to be the digital equivalent of waiting in a DMV line. With the right tweaks, it can feel more like waiting at a great coffee shop—slightly annoying but worth it. Because at the end of the day, how you wait matters just as much as how long you wait.
Static Content—The Wallflower of the Internet
Static content is like that one corner of a party where people gather awkwardly, stand still, and make polite chit-chat. Sure, it gets the job done, but does anyone leave feeling energized or excited? Probably not. Stale, unchanging web pages have the same effect. They exist, they inform, but they don’t engage. It’s like reading an instruction manual that doesn’t even attempt a clever joke.
Think of a restaurant’s website that lists its menu as a PDF—classic static content. Users have to download the file, pinch to zoom, scroll, and probably wonder why they didn’t just call Uber Eats instead. On the other side, there’s Netflix, which greets users with dynamic recommendations, personalized based on viewing habits. It’s like a sommelier for streaming, saying, “Based on what you love, here’s what’s next!” Guess which experience people keep coming back to?
Why Static Content Falls Flat
Static pages play it safe, but in doing so, they leave no room for interaction or delight. Visitors get info, sure, but they don’t feel invited to explore. Worse, static content doesn’t adapt—making everyone feel like they’re shopping at a one-size-fits-all store. And trust us, no one wants to wriggle into a generic box of bland.
- Personalize the Experience: Use dynamic elements that tailor content to the user’s interests or location. For example, a retail site could highlight seasonal trends based on where a visitor lives—because who needs snow boots in Miami?
- Add Moments of Interactivity: Break up the monotony with quizzes, sliders, or even a fun “hover to reveal” feature. It’s like sprinkling little surprises into a conversation.
- Update or Die (Metaphorically): Regularly refresh content to reflect new trends, promotions, or events. A blog post from 2017 isn’t exactly screaming “cutting-edge thought leader.”
Static doesn’t have to mean boring. By injecting life, motion, and relevance, your content can shift from a wallflower to the life of the (digital) party. Treat visitors like guests, not just passersby—they’ll thank you by sticking around.
Auto-Playing Media—The Digital Jump Scare
There you are, blissfully scrolling a website while sipping your morning coffee, when BAM! A video starts auto-playing at full volume. Your coffee spills, your heart races, and your inner voice screams, “Who thought this was a good idea?” Auto-playing media is the uninvited karaoke performer of the internet—loud, disruptive, and completely unnecessary.
Take a certain news website that shall remain nameless. Click on an article, and before you even read the headline, a reporter’s voice booms out about events you didn’t ask to hear. Bonus points if you’re in a quiet waiting room or on a Zoom call, because nothing says, “I definitely wasn’t paying attention” like rogue audio ambushing your tranquility.
On the flip side, platforms like Vimeo have perfected the art of subtlety. Videos don’t auto-play unless you click. No forced interactions, no sudden noises—just a neat little “play” button waiting for your consent. Revolutionary, right? Respect the user’s choice, and magically, everyone’s happier.
Why Auto-Play Misses the Mark
Auto-playing media hijacks control. Instead of letting users engage on their own terms, it demands attention, assuming everyone wants sound or motion all the time. Spoiler alert—they don’t. Oh, and forget about accessibility; imagine how disorienting this is for users wearing screen readers or dealing with bandwidth-straining auto-plays that practically guzzle data.
How to Stop Being “That Website”:
- Mute is the Mood: If you must auto-play, keep it silent by default. Add captions so users know what’s happening without needing headphones or startling the neighbors.
- Give Users the Power: Place clear controls to start, stop, or adjust playback. Treat it like an express elevator—only runs when the button gets pushed.
- Consider Context: Should a video even be here? Does it add value or is it just decoration? If it’s the latter, scrap it. Less is often more.
The bottom line? Auto-playing media has its place, but that place is not the digital equivalent of someone barging into your bubble, yelling, “WATCH THIS!” Be the website that whispers, “Here’s something cool—only if you’re interested.” Trust us, it’ll go a long way in keeping hearts (and coffee mugs) intact.
The Curse of Infinite Scrolling—The Bottomless Pit of the Web
Ah, infinite scrolling. It lures you in with a promise of endless content, and before you know it, you’re 47 cat videos deep, wondering where the last two hours went. It’s like walking into a store for “just one thing” and leaving with a cartful of snacks you didn’t need. Sure, scrolling forever sounds great—until you realize there’s no graceful way to escape.
Picture this: you’re browsing a trendy online store, casually looking at sweaters. But as you scroll, it never ends. Sweaters blend into jackets, followed by hats, and then swimsuits. There’s no footer in sight, and now you’re stranded in the depths of the inventory with no idea how to backtrack. It’s digital quicksand—engaging at first but utterly overwhelming by the end.
But then we’ve got Pinterest, which shows us infinite scrolling done right. It carefully loads relevant content based on your preferences, makes navigation smooth, and doesn’t trap you in a wormhole. Even better, Pinterest includes subtle breaks to help define the endless stream. It’s proof that infinite scrolling doesn’t have to feel like excavation duty.
Why Infinite Scrolling Can Go Wrong
The issue isn’t the concept—it’s the absence of structure. Endless feeds trick our brains into thinking we’re making progress but leave us exhausted instead. Plus, they’re notoriously unfriendly for accessibility. For users relying on screen readers or those with slower internet, infinite scrolling turns from convenient to downright frustrating.
How to Stop Infinite Scrolling From Driving People Mad:
- Provide a Safety Net: Include a sticky navigation bar or an easily accessible “Back to Top” button. Your users will thank you for the escape hatch.
- Set Boundaries with Pagination**: Infinite scrolling doesn’t suit every site. If content needs categorization or allows users to pick up where they left off, go old-school with pages. Sometimes, breaking things up is refreshing.
- Offer Load More Options: Instead of force-feeding endless content, give users the choice to see more. A simple “Show More” button respects their time and control.
- Introduce Stopping Points: Add natural breaks in the content to make navigation less overwhelming. Whether it’s a footer, related links, or a “You’ve seen it all!” banner, give users permission to pause.
When used thoughtfully, infinite scrolling can feel like a delightful buffet—always giving but never overwhelming. But when done poorly, it’s more like being stuck on a treadmill with no “stop” button. Give your users control, clarity, and those much-needed breather moments, and they’ll happily keep coming back for more.
Cookies Everywhere—The Crumbs That Follow You Around
Cookies—those innocent-sounding little files that track your every move online. At their best, they’re like a friendly barista who remembers your usual order. At their worst, they’re like the ex who won’t stop “accidentally” bumping into you. And all too often, cookie consent banners turn into a game of “Where’s the X?” as users frantically try to close the pop-up blocking half the screen.
Imagine you’re visiting a new recipe website, excited to finally make the perfect lasagna. But before you can see the ingredients, BAM—a cookie banner takes over. You click “Accept All” because who has the time to customize preferences? Now the internet suddenly knows you’re interested in mozzarella and tomatoes, and it’s throwing ads for cheese graters at you from every direction.
On the flip side, some websites make the cookie interaction effortless. They’re upfront, clear, and respectful, with easily accessible settings like “Just the Necessary” for those who appreciate minimal tracking. It’s the equivalent of a waiter saying, “Hey, we save your seat if you want—we’re not gonna follow you home.”
Why the Cookie Crumble Can Annoy
The problem isn’t cookies themselves—it’s how they’re presented. Vague language, hard-to-find options, or overly aggressive banners make users feel like they’re signing away their digital soul. And don’t even get us started on dark patterns disguised as OK buttons that practically beg, “Just click me already!”
Practical Solutions for a Better Cookie Experience:
- Clarity Is Key: State what cookies are being used for in plain, simple language. Skip the legal mumbo jumbo—you’re not drafting a courtroom script.
- Make Choices Easy: Provide clear, upfront options like “Accept All,” “Reject All,” or “Customize.” Users shouldn’t need a magnifying glass to find the “Reject” button hiding in the fine print.
- Respect Rejection: Just because someone clicks “Reject” doesn’t mean they’re not interested in your site. Don’t punish them by restricting access to content unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- Stay Subtle: Avoid full-page cookie takeovers. A simple, unobtrusive banner or pop-up does the job without feeling like an interrogation spotlight.
Handled correctly, cookie consent can feel less like a creepy stalker and more like a helpful concierge. Be transparent, don’t guilt-trip your users, and above all, respect their choices. When you treat them like valued guests instead of bargaining chips for data, they’ll keep coming back—and maybe even accept a cookie or two.
Dark Patterns—The Sleight of Hand in UX
Dark patterns are the Houdinis of user experience—sneaky little design tricks that guide you into doing things you never actually wanted to do. From accidental subscriptions to endless free trials that morph into paid plans without a warning, they’re the digital version of a too-good-to-be-true carnival game. Spoiler alert: the house always wins.
Imaging you’re booking a plane ticket, and somewhere in the process, you unknowingly “choose” added travel insurance or check a box agreeing to extra fees. Now, instead of focusing on the destination of your dream vacation, you’re stuck untangling a mess of charges you didn’t mean to approve. Dark patterns thrive on confusing layouts, sneaky pre-checked boxes, or guilt-tripping messages that make you feel like the bad guy for clicking “No, thanks.” It’s manipulation—plain and simple.
But not all websites operate like this. Imagine an online shop that makes things clear as day, and when you decide to leave, they genuinely ask why without being pushy. That’s good UX—it respects your boundaries and lets you breathe.
Why Dark Patterns Are a Disaster
Yes, tricking users into clicking and buying might earn a short-term gain, but it’s a long-term loss. No one likes feeling duped, and these shady tactics erode trust faster than a leaking bucket. Your users aren’t just numbers—they’re people, and people don’t enjoy holding grudges… unless it’s against manipulative websites.
And here’s the kicker—dark patterns can get your business into serious trouble. Legal regulations like Europe’s GDPR and California’s CCPA are cracking down hard, dishing out significant fines for those who indulge in misleading tactics. It’s proof that honesty is not just good design; it’s good business.
How to Brighten the Dark Side:
- Design for Transparency: Be crystal clear about actions and options. Long-winded terms buried under 20 links? Nope. Just tell users what they’re agreeing to upfront.
- Kill the Pre-Checked Boxes: Never assume what your users want—none of that sneaky default “yes to everything” nonsense. Consent should be deliberate, not accidental.
- Make Opting Out Pleasant: Hide-and-seek games are for kids, not unsubscribe buttons. Make opting out of emails, services, or subscriptions as easy (if not easier) than signing up.
- Label Truthfully: Avoid tricks like “Cancel for a Limited Time” that create unnecessary urgency. Instead, be honest about offers and clear about their timelines.
- Test for Integrity: Run user tests and get feedback to ensure your navigation, messaging, and flows feel fair and straightforward. If your team has to explain why a design “works,” it probably doesn’t.
Remember, users are smart—they’ll call you out, abandon your site, and happily complain on social media if they feel deceived. Instead, aim for ethical design that values their trust. The best magic trick isn’t the one pulling a fast one—it’s leaving your audience amazed, engaged, and completely willing to stick around.
Conclusion.
Bad UX is like a party with loud music and watered-down drinks—it drives users away. Great UX, though, is the perfect house party: seamless, fun, and welcoming.
From chill animations to pop-ups that behave, every detail matters. Ditch frustrating habits like endless loading spinners, sneaky dark patterns, and inescapable cookie banners. Instead, focus on clear, helpful, and user-first design.
Great UX builds trust, keeps users engaged, and turns them into loyal fans. Treat your users like VIPs, and they’ll keep coming back for more. Cheers to designing with heart!
Toolkit.
Your Go-To UX Survival Kit for Building Better and Designing Bolder.
📖 Books You Need on Your UX Bookshelf
Most intuitive designers need a little inspiration (and some extra brain fuel).
- Think Like a UX Researcher by David Travis and Philip Hodgson
Say goodbye to endless guessing games. This book turns you into a user-whisperer, teaching you how to ask the right questions, spot genuine insights, and make smarter design choices. Badass: Making Users Awesome by Kathy Sierra
This one’s for when you’re ready to move beyond “good UX” and hit legendary status. It’ll teach you how to help your users become absolute pros at whatever it is your product does.
📱 Tools for Success
Because even the best in UX need a cheat sheet sometimes.
Optimal Workshop
Menus making your head spin? This tool offers card sorting and tree testing to help structure your site so users actually find what they’re looking for.Contrast Checker
Color choices matter more than you might think. Use this nifty tool to ensure every shade in your design aces accessibility standards.
Let’s build better together.
Love this article? Got an idea you’re excited about or a project that needs a fresh perspective? I’d love to hear all about it! Click the button, reach out, and let’s get started!
(ARTICLE SOURCES)
- Davis, Andrew. “59 Content Marketing Quotes That Will Make You a Better Marketer.” ActiveCampaign, 31 Aug. 2022, www.activecampaign.com/blog/content-marketing-quotes.
- Howarth, Josh. “55+ Personalization Statistics (New 2024 Data).” Exploding Topics, 5 Dec. 2023, explodingtopics.com/blog/personalization-stats.
- Radavicius, Thomas. “55+ Personalization Statistics and Facts for 2024.” Sender, 4 July 2024, sender.net/blog/personalization-statistics
- March, Tomoko. “Structured Chaos Meets the Joy of Shiny Things.” 2023.
- Lin, Maya. “A Design That ‘Gets’ Its User Creates Goodwill.” 2023.
- Plummer, Daryl. “The Future of Business Is Composable.” Gartner, 19 Oct. 2020, www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-keynote-the-future-of-business-is-composable.
- Scheibenreif, Don. “The Future of Business Is Composable.” Gartner, 19 Oct. 2020, www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/gartner-keynote-the-future-of-business-is-composable.
