Default Effect
01 Definition
Default Effect meaning: People tend to accept a preselected option rather than actively changing it.
The default effect is the tendency to stick with whatever option is preselected, because changing it takes effort and the default is read as a recommendation. Defaults strongly shape outcomes in signups, subscriptions, and settings. They should be set in the user's genuine interest, not to trap them.
Also called
Why it matters
How Default Effect fits the work
Because most people keep the option already selected, the defaults you choose have an outsized effect on what users end up with, from plan tier to communication settings.
In context
Because monthly billing was the default, most new subscribers kept it, even though the clearly shown annual plan would have cost them less.
Practical note
Defaults that opt people into charges, data sharing, or recurring billing without clear consent are dark patterns and often violate consumer or privacy law. Set defaults to protect users.