2024's Word Of The Year: Enshittification

Tecfai Editorial Team

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Post on Nov 26, 2024

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2024's Word of the Year: Enshittification – A Deep Dive into the Degradation of Services

The year is barely underway, but already a strong contender for 2024's word of the year has emerged: enshittification. While not exactly a word you'd expect to grace the dictionary's pages, its rapid rise in popularity reflects a growing societal unease. But what exactly is enshittification, and why is it resonating so deeply with so many?

This post will explore the meaning, origins, and implications of this increasingly relevant term, offering insights into its SEO relevance and potential for future linguistic dominance.

Understanding Enshittification: More Than Just a Trendy Word

Coined by internet writer and programmer, Cory Doctorow, enshittification describes a process where a once-high-quality service or product is gradually degraded, often through cost-cutting measures, to maximize profits. This isn't simply about poor service; it's a deliberate, systematic dismantling of the user experience. Think of it as the slow, agonizing decline of something you once loved.

This process often involves:

• Feature removal: Beloved features are removed to save money or streamline the product, often leaving users frustrated.
• Increased prices: Costs increase while quality decreases, offering less for more.
• Over-reliance on advertising: The service becomes cluttered with intrusive ads, diminishing the user experience.
• Degradation of customer service: Support becomes less responsive and less helpful, leaving users stranded.

Examples of Enshittification in Action:

Many examples spring to mind: the decline of once-beloved social media platforms, the frustrating experiences with subscription services that constantly raise prices while delivering less, or the slow erosion of public services due to budget cuts. The feeling of being taken for granted by companies and institutions is at the heart of this phenomenon.

Why Enshittification is Resonating in 2024

The term's popularity reflects a growing awareness of corporate greed and the exploitation of consumers. People are increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with services that prioritize profit over quality and user satisfaction. In a world of subscription fatigue and ever-rising costs, enshittification feels like a fitting descriptor of the modern user experience.

Moreover, enshittification taps into a broader feeling of societal decay. It's not just about individual companies; it speaks to a wider trend of diminishing standards and a lack of accountability.

SEO Implications and Future Usage

From an SEO perspective, enshittification is a powerful keyword with growing search volume. Articles exploring this term will benefit from:

• Long-tail keyword optimization: Use phrases like "examples of enshitification," "enshittification in social media," or "how to avoid enshitified services."
• Semantic SEO: Connect the term to related concepts like "corporate greed," "user experience," "customer service," and "subscription fatigue."
• Content relevance: Provide valuable insights and examples to resonate with readers and establish authority on the topic.

The Future of Enshittification

Whether or not enshittification becomes the official word of the year remains to be seen. However, its enduring power lies in its ability to encapsulate a widespread feeling of frustration and disillusionment. As consumers become more aware of this process and demand better, the term's relevance will only continue to grow. It's a word that reflects our times – a timely and potentially lasting contribution to our ever-evolving lexicon.