[deaddodo]

I wouldn't call a form requesting your email (the only entry field on a dedicated page) a "dark pattern". They out right imply an email is necessary and knowing it's not requires knowledge otherwise or accidentally clicking "next".

[crtasm]

I've made a couple of reddit accounts in the last 1-2 years and it was always explicit that an email was optional. Is this all since the recent redesign?

[irishsultan]

The only indication that an email is not required is that the email field doesn't contain a blue dot, as opposed to the username/password fields. However those are on the next page, so you have no indication that it's not required. That's actually on the new design, on old.reddit.com there is not even that indication.

[crtasm]

I see. that's a shame, last time I used the register form it was all fields on one modal popup and said email wasn't required.