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Failed A/B Tests

Not every change is an improvement. These experiments underperformed the control — study them to understand what doesn't work and avoid repeating the same mistakes.

48
Failed tests
-8.3%
Avg. impact
Layout
Most common category
12
Industries covered

Failures by Category

Top 30 of 48 Failed Experiments

loser

Home landing: Social Proof Display

Problem: Users on the home landing need validation from others before committing — without visible proof of success, they hesitate.

Social ProofTravel
loser

Listing: Listing Page — Suggesting That Less Isn't Necessarily More

Problem: Users on the listing need validation from others before committing — without visible proof of success, they hesitate.

LayoutE-commerce
loser

Product: Product Page — Smaller & Shorter Product Titles

Problem: How "Product page — smaller & shorter product titles" is implemented on the product can meaningfully affect conversion — this element is worth testing.

Copy & MessagingE-commerce
loser

Home landing: Headline & Copy Test

Problem: The headline on the home landing may not resonate with what users actually care about or address their top objections.

FormTravel
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: This product has conversion optimization opportunities worth testing.

LayoutTravel
loser

Product: Product Page — Auto Suggested Dates In This Failed A/B Test

Problem: The primary call-to-action on the product isn't converting at its potential — design, copy, or placement may be the bottleneck.

LayoutTravel
loser

Home landing: Form Field Labels

Problem: Each additional form field adds friction to the home landing, increasing the chance users abandon before completing their submission.

FormSaaS
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: The information hierarchy on the product may not match how users actually scan and process the content.

LayoutTravel
loser

Listing: Listing Page — Ghost Buttons

Problem: The primary call-to-action on the listing isn't converting at its potential — design, copy, or placement may be the bottleneck.

CTATravel
loser

Signup: Signup — Signup, This Experiment Suggests

Problem: The registration experience on the signup asks too much too soon, causing potential users to drop off.

LayoutTravel
loser

Pricing Page: Pricing Page

Problem: How prices are displayed on the pricing page directly influences perceived value and willingness to buy.

PricingSaaS
loser

Home landing: CTA Button Optimization

Problem: The primary call-to-action on the home landing isn't converting at its potential — design, copy, or placement may be the bottleneck.

CTASaaS
loser

General: Navigation Structure Test

Problem: The primary call-to-action on the general isn't converting at its potential — design, copy, or placement may be the bottleneck.

NavigationTravel
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: The information hierarchy on the product may not match how users actually scan and process the content.

LayoutE-commerce
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: The primary call-to-action on the product isn't converting at its potential — design, copy, or placement may be the bottleneck.

FormTravel
loser

Listing: Has Been A/B Testing Link Colors (Again) And This Light Blue Didn't Pass

Problem: Users can't quickly find relevant products or content on the listing, leading to frustration and early exits.

LayoutSaaS
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: This product has conversion optimization opportunities worth testing.

LayoutTravel
loser

Listing: Listing Page — One Modal Too Far: Booking's Rejected Destination Overlay Experiment

Problem: Capturing visitor attention on the listing with modals or overlays is a balance between engagement and annoyance.

LayoutTravel
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: Users on the product need validation from others before committing — without visible proof of success, they hesitate.

Social ProofE-commerce
loser

General: Potentially Confounded Button Color A/B Test

Problem: The primary call-to-action on the general isn't converting at its potential — design, copy, or placement may be the bottleneck.

CTAE-commerce
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: Users arriving at the product can't efficiently find what they're looking for, increasing bounce rates.

FormE-commerce
loser

General: Big Navigation A/B Test With 8 Confounded UI Changes

Problem: Users arriving at the general can't efficiently find what they're looking for, increasing bounce rates.

NavigationE-commerce
loser

Home landing: UX Pattern Optimization

Problem: How "Ux pattern optimization" is implemented on the home landing can meaningfully affect conversion — this element is worth testing.

LayoutTravel
loser

Product: Product Page — : Floating Buy Box

Problem: Key actions on the product disappear as users scroll, creating a gap between intent and the ability to act.

LayoutE-commerce
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: Visual emphasis on the product may not be drawing attention to the right elements — size, color, and contrast guide the eye.

Copy & MessagingE-commerce
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: The information hierarchy on the product may not match how users actually scan and process the content.

LayoutE-commerce
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: How prices are displayed on the product directly influences perceived value and willingness to buy.

PricingE-commerce
loser

Product: CTA Button Optimization

Problem: The primary call-to-action on the product isn't converting at its potential — design, copy, or placement may be the bottleneck.

CTAE-commerce
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: Users on the product need validation from others before committing — without visible proof of success, they hesitate.

Social ProofE-commerce
loser

Product: Product Page

Problem: Visual elements on the product aren't doing enough to communicate value, build trust, or guide users toward the next step.

ImageryE-commerce

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Avoid These Mistakes

Learn from 48 failed experiments. Get detailed analysis of why changes backfired and recommendations for what to try instead.

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