Why the Internet Is Getting Worse

The internet has changed dramatically over the past few years, and unfortunately, not for the better. Once a free and open space where people could connect, learn, and share, the web has now become a barren landscape, filled with ads, clickbait, and privacy invasions. You might have noticed that websites have become slower, filled with intrusive pop-ups, or that social media platforms seem less enjoyable than they used to be. So, what’s going on?

Welcome to the phenomenon of internet enshittification, a term that captures the gradual decline of the online experience. The truth is, many of the internet’s biggest offenders are powerful companies who have figured out how to make as much money as possible, often at the expense of users. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top offenders who are contributing to this decline and how they’re reshaping the internet for the worse.

What is 'Internet Enshittification'?

So, what exactly do we mean by “enshittification”? Essentially, it refers to how the quality of the internet experience deteriorates over time due to companies’ greed or negligence. The internet was once a place of exploration and creativity, but now it’s been commodified, with advertisers, tech giants, and content creators turning it into a marketplace where your attention is the product.

The Role of Advertisements: Turning the Web Into a Cash Grab

One of the most prominent offenders contributing to the decline of the internet is the over-saturation of advertisements. What was once a convenient way to support free content has now turned into a relentless cash grab, ruining the experience for users.

How Ads Are Destroying Your Online Experience

From banner ads to video ads that autoplay, it seems like every website is trying to sell you something. These ads not only slow down websites but also distract users from their intended tasks. Plus, many ads are so poorly targeted that they offer no value at all, further frustrating users who just want to access content without interruptions.

The Rise of Annoying Pop-ups and Autoplay Videos

Pop-ups have become a hallmark of “bad web design.” These intrusive ads appear at the worst times, forcing you to click them away before you can continue reading an article or watching a video. Then, there’s the infamous autoplay video, which automatically starts playing sound, often in public places, when all you want to do is skim a webpage. It’s a clear sign that many companies care more about profits than user experience.

Data Collection and Privacy Invasion: Your Every Click is Tracked

Have you ever wondered why you’re constantly seeing ads for products you’ve just Googled or mentioned in conversation? The culprit is data collection. Today, your every click, like, and scroll is tracked, making the internet feel less like a place of freedom and more like an open book for corporations to read.

How Companies Are Exploiting Your Personal Data

Tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Amazon have made billions by collecting and selling your data to advertisers. Every action you take online is recorded, analyzed, and used to serve you personalized ads—or sometimes even sold to the highest bidder. Privacy has taken a backseat, and users have little control over how their information is being used.

The Rise of Creepy Targeted Ads

If you’ve ever shopped for something online, only to see ads for the same product follow you around the web, you’ve experienced targeted advertising. While this might seem convenient at first, it creates an uncomfortable feeling of being constantly watched. It’s as if the internet knows too much about you—and that’s because it does.

Clickbait and Shady Content: Why the Internet Feels So Deceptive

Another symptom of internet enshittification is the prevalence of clickbait and misleading content. What happened to the days when you could trust a headline or a link to lead you to quality information? Unfortunately, many websites now use sensationalist headlines and low-quality content to maximize clicks, without offering any real value to readers.

How Clickbait is Ruining Trust in Online Information

Clickbait works because it plays on curiosity. Phrases like “You won’t believe what happens next” or “This one trick will change your life” lure you in, only to deliver disappointing, shallow content. Over time, this erodes trust in online information and diminishes the value of the internet as a tool for learning and discovery.

The Impact of Misleading Headlines on Users' Expectations

When users click on misleading headlines, they feel disappointed or cheated. This negative experience drives people away from sites that rely on clickbait and leaves them frustrated with the overall quality of online content.

Social Media Algorithms: Prioritizing Engagement Over Quality

We can’t talk about the decline of the internet without discussing social media algorithms. These algorithms are designed to keep you engaged, but they don’t necessarily prioritize quality content—they prioritize content that generates the most engagement.

How Algorithms Are Controlling What You See

Social media algorithms determine what posts, articles, and videos appear on your feed. Instead of showing you a balanced range of content, they often feed you what’s most likely to get you to like, comment, or share—which is often sensational or divisive content. The result is a warped view of the world where only the loudest, most extreme voices dominate.

The Problem with Endless Scrolling and Echo Chambers

Endless scrolling, where you can’t stop watching videos or scrolling through posts, is designed to keep you hooked. But this often leads to echo chambers, where you’re surrounded only by content that reinforces your existing beliefs, creating a narrow view of reality and limiting your exposure to diverse perspectives.

The Decline of Search Engine Quality

If you’ve noticed that your Google search results are less helpful than they used to be, you’re not alone. The internet’s search engines are suffering from the same issue that’s plaguing the rest of the web—SEO manipulation and low-quality content.

Why Google Results Aren’t as Helpful as They Used to Be

Google’s results used to be a trusted source of quality information, but now, many results are dominated by advertisements, affiliate links, and SEO-optimized articles that don’t actually answer your questions. Instead of providing the most relevant answers, search engines have prioritized websites that know how to rank, regardless of their actual usefulness.

The Rise of SEO Manipulation and Low-Quality Content

Many websites now use keyword stuffing and other SEO tricks to rank higher, even though their content is poor or irrelevant. This manipulation of search engine algorithms means that real answers are often buried beneath mountains of low-quality articles designed to drive traffic, not to provide value.

How the Tech Giants Are Contributing to Enshittification

When you think of the internet, you likely think of companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon—the tech giants that control so much of what we see and do online. Unfortunately, many of these companies are at the heart of internet enshittification.

Big Tech’s Stranglehold on the Internet

Tech giants have monopolized many parts of the internet, from search engines to social media platforms. This dominance stifles competition, making it harder for smaller companies or independent creators to thrive.

How Monopolistic Practices Are Killing Competition and Innovation

Big Tech’s control over the internet means that smaller companies and new ideas often get pushed out. This lack of competition slows innovation and leaves users with fewer choices, while larger corporations become even more powerful.

The Negative Effects on Small Creators and Content Consumers

Small content creators, bloggers, and YouTubers are also feeling the squeeze as the internet becomes more commercialized. They struggle to get noticed amid a sea of corporate content and ads.

Why Small Creators Are Getting Squeezed Out

With the rise of big platforms and their paid promotions, it’s harder than ever for small creators to grow their audiences or make a living. Corporate content is often given priority, leaving independent creators with fewer opportunities to succeed.

How Users Are Feeling the Effects of a Poorer Internet

As the quality of the internet continues to decline, users are the ones who suffer. They’re bombarded by ads, overwhelmed by low-quality content, and left feeling frustrated by the lack of genuine, valuable experiences online.

What Can Be Done to Fix the Internet?

So, is there hope for the internet’s future? Can we fix what’s broken? While it’s a tough challenge, there are ways to improve things—starting with regulation and accountability.

The Need for Better Regulation and Accountability

Governments and regulatory bodies need to step in and hold big tech companies accountable for their role in internet enshittification. Stricter privacy laws, anti-monopoly regulations, and more transparency are essential for creating a better, more equitable online environment.

Why Users Should Demand Better Online Experiences

We, as internet users, also have a role to play. We need to demand better online experiences, support ethical platforms, and push for content that prioritizes quality over quantity.

Supporting Ethical Online Platforms

Choosing to support platforms that care about user privacy, quality content, and minimal ads can make a real difference in the fight against internet enshittification.

Conclusion: Is There Hope for the Internet's Future?

While the internet may seem to be getting worse, there is still hope for its future. With the right regulatory measures and a shift in how companies approach user experience, we can reclaim the internet as a space for exploration, creativity, and meaningful connections. The question is, will we act fast enough?

FAQs

1. What is 'internet enshittification'?

Internet enshittification is a term used to describe the gradual decline of the online experience due to greedy business practices and poor user experiences.

2. How are ads ruining the internet?

Ads, particularly intrusive pop-ups and autoplay videos, slow down websites, distract users, and degrade the overall online experience.

3. What can we do to fix the internet?

We can support ethical platforms, demand better privacy protection, and push for more regulations that hold tech companies accountable for their actions.

4. Are search engines getting worse?

Yes, search engines like Google are increasingly filled with ads and low-quality content, which makes it harder to find valuable information.

5. How can we help small content creators?

By supporting independent creators, ethical platforms, and demanding better quality content from larger corporations, we can help level the playing field.