Most popular platforms are becoming worse and worse.
Google results are often useless, especially for non-technical content, you mostly find big firms, and non-relevant, articles.
Twitter is becoming less interesting. I still hope they will fine-tune the algorithm to improve the situation, as it has gotten worse for the past two weeks — but I'm not sure.
After 3 years spent on the platform, for the first time, I feel like I should find another place, which is a pity since the indie hacking community is amazing there.
I’m looking at notes, and seeing the same insight porn content surfacing created by the same feed hackers I know from LinkedIn (unfollow doesn’t help, they keep coming back by windows and the chimney). It looks there need to be some sort of a system solution to that. Otherwise SS will follow suit.
This is why I like Mastodon. Your feed is filled only with updates from people you follow. Additionally, you can follow topics (=hashtags). I follow more topics and very less people. It has been an interesting experiment that I am enjoying so far.
"No algorithm" has its benefits and negatives too. It is not one-size fit all
Well formulated, Jakob. You mirrored so much of what I feel about the platform that I haven't been able to put into clever enough words: no new connections; no ideas; poor visibility; nothing earth-shattering going on (except Elon's satellites, perhaps).
I remember when Twitter was the perfect platform for writers... and even musicians.
Week after week I contemplate leaving and week after week I don't do it, only because my favourite band follows me on there! It being The Beatles, that's a big thing for a little musician like me (*sigh*). As writers, we're probably better off saving our sanity and the effort we put into feeding the mostly-negative world of the social media, investing it instead into nurturing our readers and fellow writers here on Substack who, apart from Notes, we know are actually reading our posts.
"The content is now either clickbait, low-effort shitposts, or regurgitated nonsense.
When there was a clear relationship between follower count + effort and the attention you got, it made sense to invest time to create quality original content."
The same goes for LinkedIn. And pretty much every other social media?
I related 100% with what you expressed, Jakob.
Most popular platforms are becoming worse and worse.
Google results are often useless, especially for non-technical content, you mostly find big firms, and non-relevant, articles.
Twitter is becoming less interesting. I still hope they will fine-tune the algorithm to improve the situation, as it has gotten worse for the past two weeks — but I'm not sure.
After 3 years spent on the platform, for the first time, I feel like I should find another place, which is a pity since the indie hacking community is amazing there.
Well said, Jakob. 👏 I’m just hanging around on X now for old times sake. Just waiting for the right alternative to appear
Yeah, I feel exactly the same.
I'm much better off just following blogs and newsletters from people I trust will put out thoughtful content rather than weaponise my attention.
> A mass exodus will happen, and fast. It feels like we're finally on the verge of something new.
Where would that be? Substack notes? Mastodon? Threads?
None of these solutions are really compelling enough. No idea what alternative will emerge as the winner yet :)
I’m looking at notes, and seeing the same insight porn content surfacing created by the same feed hackers I know from LinkedIn (unfollow doesn’t help, they keep coming back by windows and the chimney). It looks there need to be some sort of a system solution to that. Otherwise SS will follow suit.
This is why I like Mastodon. Your feed is filled only with updates from people you follow. Additionally, you can follow topics (=hashtags). I follow more topics and very less people. It has been an interesting experiment that I am enjoying so far.
"No algorithm" has its benefits and negatives too. It is not one-size fit all
Well formulated, Jakob. You mirrored so much of what I feel about the platform that I haven't been able to put into clever enough words: no new connections; no ideas; poor visibility; nothing earth-shattering going on (except Elon's satellites, perhaps).
I remember when Twitter was the perfect platform for writers... and even musicians.
Week after week I contemplate leaving and week after week I don't do it, only because my favourite band follows me on there! It being The Beatles, that's a big thing for a little musician like me (*sigh*). As writers, we're probably better off saving our sanity and the effort we put into feeding the mostly-negative world of the social media, investing it instead into nurturing our readers and fellow writers here on Substack who, apart from Notes, we know are actually reading our posts.
Thanks for a really important slice of wisdom.
Feel similar.
"The content is now either clickbait, low-effort shitposts, or regurgitated nonsense.
When there was a clear relationship between follower count + effort and the attention you got, it made sense to invest time to create quality original content."
The same goes for LinkedIn. And pretty much every other social media?