The Dark Side of Subscription Services: Complex Cancellation Processes and Dark Patterns

As subscription services continue to rise in popularity, so do the complexities of their cancellation processes. Many companies have implemented dark patterns in their UX (user experience) design to make it difficult for users to cancel their subscriptions. These dark patterns are manipulative tactics that make it hard for users to find the cancellation option or intentionally confuse them to keep their subscription active. In this article, we will discuss the top 3 subscription services with the most complex cancellation flows and UX dark patterns, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to cancel your subscription with each of them.

1. Amazon Prime

Amazon Prime, the popular subscription service that offers free two-day shipping and access to Amazon Prime Video and Music, has a notoriously complex cancellation process. Many users have reported struggling to find the cancellation option on the website and being redirected to other pages when they click on it.

To cancel your Amazon Prime subscription, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your Amazon account.
2. Hover over the “Accounts & Lists” tab at the top of the page.
3. Click on “Your Prime Membership” from the drop-down menu.
4. On the left-hand side, click on “End Membership and Benefits.”
5. You will be taken to a page with multiple options to keep your membership active. Scroll to the bottom and click on “I Do Not Want My Benefits.”
6. A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation. Click on “End My Benefits.”
7. Your Amazon Prime membership will be canceled.

2. Hulu

Another popular subscription service, Hulu, has a complicated cancellation process that often leads users to believe that their subscription has been canceled when it has not. This is due to the confusing wording and placement of the cancellation options.

To cancel your Hulu subscription, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your Hulu account.
2. Click on your profile icon at the top right corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Account” from the drop-down menu.
4. Scroll down to the “Your Subscription” section and click on “Cancel.”
5. You will then be prompted to choose a reason for canceling. Select one and click on “Continue to Cancel.”
6. You will be taken to a page with multiple options to keep your subscription active. Scroll to the bottom and click on “Continue to Cancel.”
7. A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation. Click on “Cancel Subscription.”
8. Your Hulu subscription will be canceled.

3. Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud is a popular subscription service for creative professionals, offering access to popular software like Photoshop and Illustrator. However, canceling your subscription with Adobe is not as straightforward as it seems.

To cancel your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your Adobe account.
2. Click on your profile icon at the top right corner of the screen.
3. Click on “Manage Account” from the drop-down menu.
4. On the left-hand side, click on “Plans & Products.”
5. Find your subscription and click on “Cancel Plan” next to it.
6. You will then be prompted to choose a reason for canceling. Select one and click on “Continue to Cancel.”
7. A pop-up window will appear asking for confirmation. Click on “Cancel Plan.”
8. Your Adobe Creative Cloud subscription will be canceled.

In conclusion, navigating the cancellation process for subscription services can be a frustrating and time-consuming experience. It is important for companies to make this process as transparent and user-friendly as possible, without resorting to dark patterns. We hope that the step-by-step instructions provided for these top 3 subscription services will help make the cancellation process a little easier for you. Remember, if you encounter any difficulties, do not hesitate to reach out to customer support for assistance.