Understanding Enshittification: A Guide to Cory Doctorow's Concept
Explore Cory Doctorow's concept of enshittification. Learn how platform decay and tech monopolies reshape digital economics and the future of the internet.
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Enshittification is a three-act tragicomedy: first, platforms lure us in with free services; then, they pivot to favor advertisers; and finally, they squeeze both groups to claw back every cent until the platform is a dumpster fire.
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Enshittification is a term coined by Cory Doctorow to describe the lifecycle of online platforms. It explains how digital services initially provide value to users to gain a foothold, then pivot to exploit those users for the benefit of business customers, and finally harvest value from those business customers for themselves. This process of platform decay eventually leads to a degraded user experience where the platform serves only its own interests, often resulting in a collapse of utility for the general public.
The concept is deeply rooted in digital economics and the behavior of tech monopolies. Doctorow argues that when a few companies dominate the market, they lack the competitive pressure to maintain high-quality services. These monopolies use their market power to lock in users and creators, making it difficult for them to leave even as the service quality declines. This economic environment allows platforms to prioritize short-term profits and shareholder value over the long-term health of the internet ecosystem.
Signs of platform decay often include an increase in intrusive advertising, the removal of useful features, and the manipulation of search results to favor sponsored content over organic relevance. As internet trends shift toward monetization at all costs, users may notice that the platforms they once relied on for connection or information become cluttered and difficult to navigate. This trend reflects the final stages of enshittification, where the platform's primary goal is to extract maximum value from its remaining user base.
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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
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"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
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