With that in mind here is one design trend that I hope doesn’t continue into 2010: The Feedback Tab. Over the course of 2009 the more web enthusiasts among us have probably seen it on more than a few sites (example here).

The feedback tab is what I call a Selfish User Interface. It prioritizes what the business ’wants’ over we the users want- as opposed to allowing the two to work harmoniously together. What do I mean by this?

Well look at how large the tab is, on most screens its the most dominant element on the page- the tab also follows the user, in a stalker like fashion, up and down the page. There is positive intent behind this tab, as businesses that implement it obviously want to hear from their customers. The reality is we (as website users) have more important things going on than to give businesses feedback. Interfaces should encourage feedback and make giving feedback painless- but demanding it? Thats going to far.

Perhaps a simple link along with the other top level navigation elements would do the trick. However, businesses shouldn’t kid themselves into believing the user’s top priority is to give their business feedback.

No more selfish UI in 2010.