Design Ethical Engagement
Trust, Privacy & Ethics · ethics
Updated 2026-07-28
- Engagement should come from value, not manipulation.
- Good engagement:
- Helps users achieve goals.
- Saves time.
- Builds habits that benefit users.
- Avoid:
- Fake urgency.
- Hidden costs.
- Endless interruptions.
- Guilt-based notifications.
- The best products earn attention.
- A user returning because they want to is stronger than a user returning because they feel trapped.
- Engagement should come from value.
- Build:
- Useful reminders.
- Meaningful progress.
- Helpful feedback.
- Artificial addiction loops.
- Anxiety-based design.
- Manipulative notifications.
Related guides
UX Handbook