What is Forced Continuity?
Free trials convert into paid subscriptions automatically, often with minimal reminders and a cancellation flow that takes real effort to find.
Where it comes from
Subscription Services (2010s)
How it hooks you
Exploits inertia: easy signup plus difficult cancellation means procrastination alone extends the billing.
What the research shows
Hard-to-cancel subscriptions drew enough complaints that the US FTC moved to require cancellation to be as easy as enrollment.
How to resist it
Use virtual cards with spending limits for trials, and set a calendar reminder for the end date when you sign up.