Do not download the app, use the website
The 2010s was the Wild West of the mobile world. "Mobile-first" was the buzzword, much like "AI-first" is today. Every company, from the biggest social media giants to your local pizza parlor, seemed to be pestering you to download their app. There was a genuine hype train, and everyone was on board. The apps, frankly, were always mediocre, and a far cry from the full functionality of their website counterparts. But the message was clear. If you weren't on mobile, you were falling behind.
Fast forward to 2025, and that hype hasn't entirely faded. In fact, it's evolved into something a little more… persistent. If you've ever opened Reddit, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or practically any popular service on your phone's web browser, you've likely encountered it. A relentless push to download their app. They use every dark pattern in the book, subtly nudging you, sometimes even tricking you, into clicking that "Get the App" button. It feels inevitable, doesn't it? Like you're constantly fighting against the current.
But if you're already a regular user, happily browsing their service through your phone's web browser, why are they still so desperate for you to switch to the app?
