Understanding “Enshittification”: How Digital Platforms Are Declining
As technology evolves, many users experience a noticeable decline in the quality of services provided by digital platforms, leading to a phenomenon known as “enshittification.” In his insightful book, Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What to Do About It, Cory Doctorow explores this unsettling trend, rooting it in greed, market consolidation, and policy choices.
What is “Enshittification”?
At its core, enshittification describes the decline of services over time. Initially, platforms delight users, but they soon lock them in with switching costs and then prioritize profit, often at the users’ expense. This cycle leads to a subpar experience across various platforms—think Google, Facebook, and Amazon.
Why Now? The Changing Landscape
While greed isn’t new, the current landscape has shifted in favor of platforms due to reduced competition and legal shields that prevent users from checking or adjusting their experiences. This creates an environment where companies can exploit their dominant position, ultimately resulting in worse services.
Historical Context of Enshittification
Identifying a specific start date for enshittification is challenging. However, significant moments like the 2019 Google antitrust case highlight instances where platforms intentionally degraded services to push users toward more ads. The key takeaway is that we continued using these platforms despite their decline.
The Consumer Trap
Why do users persist with services, even when they deteriorate? The lack of viable alternatives, often due to market consolidation and legal barriers, keeps them tethered to these platforms. For example, Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram curbed competition and maintained user reliance.
Platforms: the Fertile Ground for Enshittification
Platforms like Facebook and Amazon thrive by mediating between consumers and businesses. This unique position allows them to tweak user experiences based on profitability—often at the cost of user satisfaction. As anti-circumvention laws restrict users from adjusting or inspecting services, platforms can manipulate dynamics to their favor.
Is Enshittification Widespread?
It’s not just digital platforms that are experiencing enshittification. As more sectors adopt digital practices, such as dynamic pricing, the trend is becoming pervasive. For instance, Amazon’s advertisement practices prioritize pay-to-play models over genuine value, leading customers to higher prices and diluted products.
Case Studies: Facebook and Amazon
Facebook is a prime example of enshittification. It began with user-friendly features but shifted to an ad-driven model that ultimately frustrated its user base while simultaneously locking in businesses. Amazon faces similar criticism, with its advertising strategy leading to misaligned search results that favor higher-paying vendors rather than the best products.
Alternatives May Not Be Better
Many argue that users can simply switch to other options, yet the reality is more complex. The “scorched earth” left by enshittification makes alternatives less appealing. For instance, as Uber captured the ride-sharing market, traditional taxis dwindled in number and quality, leaving consumers with limited choices.
Structural Changes Needed
Doctorow emphasizes that addressing these systemic issues requires structural solutions: robust antitrust measures, enforceable regulations, interoperability rights, and enhanced worker power. While these changes may seem distant, shifts in international antitrust views and growing labor movements signal potential progress.
The Political Impact of Enshittification
The ramifications of enshittification extend to politics, creating an environment rife with distrust and frustration. Restoring faith in regulatory agencies hinges on breaking up monopolies and fostering competition.
Moving Toward Change
The future trajectory of enshittification is uncertain. However, Doctorow’s message of collective action against corporate power resonates, encouraging individuals to unite across various issues—be it online experiences or consumer product costs—to foster a healthier marketplace.
In conclusion, while enshittification presents significant challenges, acknowledging its causes and implications offers a pathway toward reform and better digital experiences.
Related Keywords: enshittification, digital platforms, consumer experience, market consolidation, antitrust laws, tech industry reform, Cory Doctorow.
