Web designer Adële published a blog post on May 9, 2026, documenting how client feature requests have evolved from carousels to AI chatbots, despite clients admitting they dislike chatbots on other websites. The post, shared on Hacker News where it reached 175 points and 70 comments, articulates a widespread frustration among web professionals dealing with AI feature requests driven by fear of appearing outdated rather than user research.
The Paradox of Unwanted Features Clients Demand
Adële chronicles how web design trends cycle through mandatory features that rarely serve users. Previously, clients insisted on carousels—spinning image galleries that visitors typically ignored. Those gave way to cookie banners and analytics tools, and now AI chatbots have become the must-have feature despite questionable utility.
The author highlights a revealing paradox: when asked directly, most clients admit they dislike chatbots on other websites. One client described a competitor's chatbot that "confidently gave out wrong opening hours for months" yet still wanted one for their own site. Adële observes that the trend is "not about utility...It's about visibility, the fear of looking behind."
The Invisible Work of Simplicity
The blog post identifies a deeper problem beyond trend-chasing: websites have become bloated through feature competition, with clients feeling pressure to appear modern and serious. When shown minimalist, fast-loading alternatives, clients respond positively—until realizing such simplicity might seem inexpensive or unimpressive.
Adële notes that building truly simple, restrained websites requires harder invisible work than adding trendy features. Because clients cannot see the effort behind simplicity, they undervalue it. The author resists offering easy solutions, acknowledging that pressure comes from industry-wide expectations rather than genuine user needs.
Community Echoes Similar Experiences
The 70-comment Hacker News discussion revealed many developers and designers sharing similar experiences. Commenters drew parallels to previous feature fads including Flash animations and auto-playing videos. Some argued that AI chatbots can be useful if implemented correctly, while others lamented how AI hype creates pressure to add AI features regardless of fit.
The post resonates because it articulates a common frustration: AI being added to products not because it solves problems but because companies fear appearing outdated. The title itself has become memorable and meme-worthy, capturing how client demands shift with technology trends while the underlying psychology—fear of appearing behind—remains constant across eras.
Key Takeaways
- Web designer Adële documented the shift from clients demanding carousels to demanding AI chatbots, despite admitting they dislike chatbots on other websites
- One client example described a competitor's chatbot that "confidently gave out wrong opening hours for months" yet still wanted to implement one
- The blog post argues that feature demands are driven by fear of appearing outdated rather than genuine user needs or utility
- Building simple, restrained websites requires harder invisible work than adding trendy features, leading clients to undervalue minimalist approaches
- The post reached 175 points on Hacker News with 70 comments, resonating with web professionals experiencing similar AI feature pressure