Are “User-Unfriendly” Designs Really Just a Sign That Product Managers Don’t Understand Users?

Are “User-Unfriendly” Designs Really Just a Sign That Product Managers Don’t Understand Users?
# Tiger Color — 2025-11-24 · Guangdong

![image](https://blog.aitoearn.ai/content/images/2025/11/img_001-565.jpg)

> Behind it all lies the art of a product manager’s trade-offs.

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## Introduction: Beyond Aesthetics and Functionality

Product design is not simply a fusion of **aesthetics** and **functionality** — it is the manifestation of **systematic thinking**.  
Only by clarifying **logical definitions** can design truly meet **user needs** *and* achieve **commercial objectives**.

---

## Everyday Examples of “Anti-Human” Design

- Opening an app and being redirected by a *shake-to-trigger ad*.
- Wanting a ride but seeing cars nearby that won’t accept your order.
- Paying for a video membership, logging in on multiple devices, but being restricted to play on only one device at a time.

Most internet products contain at least one such friction point.  
The question: **Are PMs blind to these pains?**

**Reality:** Product design is not about *only* meeting user needs — it’s a **dynamic balance** among:

- **User experience**
- **Business objectives**
- **Regulatory compliance**
- **Technical feasibility**

Neglect any, and the product loses equilibrium.  
Seemingly “contradictory” designs often hide subtle balancing acts.

---

## Deconstructing Counterintuitive Design

### 1. Splash Screen Shake-to-Trigger Ads  
**Trading “accidental triggers” for growth**

**User view:**  
> “I just want to open the app — why does a slight movement send me elsewhere?”

**Design logic:**  
A calculation of **commercial value** vs **experience cost**.

Key data:

- **Trigger sensitivity:** 15° tilt or slight vibration → 85% trigger rate, 80% accidental.
- **Exposures per day:** 400M+
- **CTR:** 8% (**3×** higher than static ads)
- Even with 80% accidental triggers, 1% conversion covers cost.

**Why keep it?**
- Sidesteps peak frustration of **forced pop-ups**.
- Makes ad interaction appear **active** vs passive.
- Adds a quick exit to mitigate experience loss.
- Stays within *Shake Ad Trigger Safety Requirements*.

---

### 2. Ride-Hailing “Ghost Cars”  
**Managing expectations with perceived certainty**

**User view:**  
> “The map shows cars nearby — yet my driver is far away.”

**Design logic:**  
Users fear *uncertain wait times*. Showing moving nearby cars reduces anxiety.

Strategies:

- **Visualized certainty:** Even if not idle, moving icons imply quick access.
- **Psychological effect:** Without nearby cars shown, 60% users might quit.
- **Behind the scenes:** Dynamic radius expansion for optimal matching.

This is **not deception** — it’s expectation management to retain usage until a real match is found.

---

### 3. Video Membership: Multi-login, Single-play  
**Compliance and monetization boundaries**

**User view:**  
> “I paid — why limit playback to one device?”

**Design logic:**  
Protect the commercial loop & copyright compliance.

- A shared account = 3–5 users → ~40% loss of potential paying audience.
- Multi-device login allowed (e.g., phone → tablet → TV).
- Single-device playback prevents rentals/sharing abuse.
- VIP tiers offer multi-device playback for family use → **tiered monetization**.

Core definition:  
**Exclusive usage rights** drive paying value — not unlimited sharing.

---

## Core Product Design Principles

From these cases, effective design logic emerges:

1. **User needs are a starting point** — must align with business & compliance.
2. **Experience loss must be controllable** — always provide an exit channel.
3. **Data-driven balance** — ensure *loss < gain* in measurable terms.

---

## Strategic Reflection for PMs

Ask yourself:

1. How will users believe in product quality & pay willingly?
2. How do you keep massive MAUs engaged across acquisition → activation → retention → sharing?
3. How to increase conversion without major cost growth?
4. How to enhance perceived service to drive transactions?

---

## Final Question of Design

When faced with “anti-human” feedback:

- **PM’s question:** Does the value balance hold? Is there a better alternative?
- **User’s perspective:** Products must balance *acceptable experience cost* with *sustainable business models*.

Without commercial value, perfect UX cannot survive — bills need paying.

---

## Shared Philosophy with AI Content Platforms

Platforms like [AiToEarn官网](https://aitoearn.ai/) embody this balance:

- Open-source AI content monetization across Douyin, Kwai, WeChat, Bilibili, Rednote, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, and X (Twitter).
- Integrates AI generation, cross-platform publishing, analytics.
- Helps creators turn creativity into sustainable value without harming audience experience.

---

## Event Notice

🔥 **2025 AI Product Conference** — Dec 20–21, Shenzhen  
**Focus:** AI + Industry practical applications, including:

- Logistics
- Audio/video
- Content
- Digitalization
- Industrial manufacturing
- Big data
- Collaborative tools
- Global expansion
- Embodied intelligence
- Smart hardware

![image](https://blog.aitoearn.ai/content/images/2025/11/img_002-529.jpg)

---

## Recommended Reading

[![image](https://blog.aitoearn.ai/content/images/2025/11/img_003-501.jpg)](https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM5OTEwNjI2MA==&mid=2651909472&idx=1&sn=a5651499441aa3029f310cad53c8d23b&scene=21#wechat_redirect)  
[![image](https://blog.aitoearn.ai/content/images/2025/11/img_004-475.jpg)](https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM5OTEwNjI2MA==&mid=2651901219&idx=1&sn=f89a95d76cbefc168d5ad0bb9e2afbbb&scene=21#wechat_redirect)  
[![image](https://blog.aitoearn.ai/content/images/2025/11/img_005-429.jpg)](https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM5OTEwNjI2MA==&mid=2651907554&idx=1&sn=7106f1f5dd02ba11652f5bfa7c549463&scene=21#wechat_redirect)

---

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---

If you’re exploring new ways to **create and monetize content**, [AiToEarn官网](https://aitoearn.ai/) offers:

- Multi-platform AI generation & publishing
- Distribution on Douyin, Kwai, WeChat, Bilibili, Rednote, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, YouTube, Pinterest, X (Twitter)
- Analytics and AI model rankings ([AI模型排名](https://rank.aitoearn.ai))

Helping creators streamline workflows and maximize AI-driven creativity.

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