Do Users Really Prefer Dark Mode or Light Mode on Websites?

As a web developer, I’ve often considered implementing a dark and light mode toggle on websites. However, during my experiments, I discovered that creating a seamless mode-switching feature requires substantial planning, a solid foundation, and considerable development time—especially for websites rich with diverse colors, multimedia previews, and complex UI elements.

When observing major platforms like Google, I’ve noticed that many large-scale websites tend to prioritize a single theme—often light mode—over dark mode. If dark mode is present, it sometimes appears inconsistent or less polished, which can lead to a suboptimal user experience. Users may find themselves switching back to the default mode to read text more comfortably or to perform tasks more effectively.

This raises the question: do users genuinely value the option to switch between dark and light themes? And if they do, which mode offers the best experience? Interestingly, many leading companies continue to emphasize traditional light mode, possibly reflecting user preferences or development priorities.

Note: I’m interested in hearing the community’s opinions on whether dark mode is a necessary feature and which mode is generally preferred—this post is not about my technical ability to implement such features but about user preferences and industry trends.

Thank you to everyone who shares their insights and experiences!