Theory of Dead Internet and Blogs

The Theory of Dead Internet: What Does it Mean for the Future of Blogs?

It's another late afternoon. You come home, read another post here on The Blogvertiser, and while sipping your coffee, you decide to take another look at what's happening on Twitter/X. When you enter the first viral tweet, you notice something REALLY strange: a flood of replies with no relevance to that post, which seem to have been generated in some sort of ChatGPT automatically by profiles just to boost engagement. You try to read the comments that people made and only find another flood of videos that other profiles are posting on that viral post. Then you decide to tweet about it, and what do you receive? Profiles of women commenting for you to visit fake profiles.

Have you ever wondered if the internet you know is still the same as it was a few years ago? Is the amount of genuine content, created by real humans, as abundant as it used to be? Or are we navigating through a sea of information controlled by algorithms and bots? So, as I always say, grab your coffee, and let's get started.

What is the Theory of Dead Internet?

The theory of "Dead Internet" suggests that a large part of the content we see online is not generated by people, but by bots, artificial intelligence, and algorithms. This idea may seem a bit conspiratorial at first glance, but there are some observations that lend credence to this theory.

Firstly, consider the volume of content generated daily. According to MasterBlogging, over 7 million blog posts are published every day. This is not to mention the millions of social media posts, comments, and videos that are posted every hour. Is it humanly possible for all of this to be created by real people? Maybe not. Advanced algorithms and bots can generate, replicate, and disseminate content efficiently and massively, creating an illusion of human activity. With the emergence of artificial intelligences capable of generating audio, video, and simulating profiles on social networks, the impact that was once only seen in automated emails and unwanted calls is now present in any glance at a social media feed.

The Influence of Algorithms

Algorithms are the invisible engines that drive content on the internet. They determine what appears in your news feed, which videos are recommended on YouTube, and even the search results you see on Google. But how do these algorithms work?

These systems are designed to maximize engagement. They learn from your interactions and adjust the presented content to keep you clicking, watching, and scrolling. This can lead to a vicious cycle where automated content, optimized for engagement, is promoted more than genuine content. As a result, bots and AI can end up dominating the online space, creating a sense that there is more human activity than actually exists.

And to give a personal observation, I don't know about you, but when I look for a human comment on a tweet, it feels like I'm looking for a living person amidst a bunch of robots in the middle of a busy street. And yes, I asked an AI to try to illustrate what this feeling would look like, and you can see the result in the image below.

Examples of Automated Content

Let's take a look at some examples of how automated content is already present on the internet:

AI-Generated News Articles: Several news sites use algorithms to generate articles quickly. Companies like the Associated Press and Reuters already employ AI to write financial reports and summaries of sporting events.

Social Media Profiles: There are countless social media profiles controlled by bots, as in the example I mentioned at the beginning of the article. These bots can generate posts, share content, and even interact with real users.

Comments and Reviews: Many websites face the problem of fake comments and reviews. Bots can be programmed to leave positive or negative reviews, influencing the public's perception of products or services, including scam practices. Below, I've included an example of automated comments made on a video in an investment niche on YouTube. You've probably seen something similar.

The Impact on New Blogs

So, what does this mean for those thinking of starting a new blog? Let's explore some implications:

Visibility Challenges: With so much automated content flooding the internet, it can be difficult for new blogs to gain visibility. Algorithms may favor content that generates more engagement, which isn't always synonymous with quality or authenticity.

Competition with Bots: Genuine blogs may encounter difficulty competing with the massive amount of content generated by bots. This requires new bloggers to be more strategic and focused on the quality and niche of their content. And that's what I've been aiming for here by bringing posts like this to you, my dear reader.

The Importance of Authenticity: In a sea of automated content, authenticity becomes a powerful differentiator. Blogs that can convey a genuine voice and offer unique perspectives have a greater chance of standing out and building a loyal audience. How to do this? Be authentic. Be yourself. Bring your personal characteristics to your blog. Obviously, if you've been following me for a while, you know about my love for coffee (in fact, maybe I'll bring a post about the long-term consumption impacts of coffee for content producers? I'll make a note of that).

Smart SEO: SEO (Search Engine Optimization) strategies are crucial for new blogs. Using relevant keywords, creating high-quality content, and building backlinks can help improve visibility in search engines, even when competing against automated content. Here on the blog, you'll find other posts about this.

Building Community: In addition to attracting traffic, it's important to build an engaged community around the blog. This can be done through newsletters, social media, and direct interactions with readers. A loyal community can provide valuable support and help spread content organically.

Strategies for Authentic Blogs

Talking about strategies might sound a bit technical, but let's keep it light and straight to the point. After all, authenticity is everything in this digital sea, and I'm here to help you navigate it.

Let's start with the basics: content is king. But not just any content. Focus on quality content. I'm talking about content that is well researched, well written, and truly adds value to the reader. There's no point in writing a bunch of posts just to fill the blog. Take the time to research, understand your topic, and deliver something your readers will love.

If they like it, you'll get interaction, comments, more views, maybe even emails. One of the best things about having a blog is interacting with those who read it. Don't underestimate the power of a good comment or a replied message. Don't underestimate direct engagement with your readers.

Show that there's a real person behind the blog. Respond to comments, be active on social media, exchange ideas, and build a relationship with your audience. People like to know they're being heard and valued.

Personal Stories

Nothing connects more than a good personal story. Don't be afraid to share your experiences, even those you think are small or trivial. These stories are unique and only you can tell them. They create an emotional connection with your readers and make them come back to hear more than what you have to say. And let me tell you something: your writing and content creation style are the result of your entire reading history.

Want to know how not to write like the thousands of blogs created by robots these days? Go back in time. Almost literally.

Read magazines and books published in the 1990s, 2000s, before the emergence of AI. Read curiosity magazines, lifestyle magazines, cooking, biographies, everything you can. You know those things were written by real people. Notice every personal touch, every development, every touch of humor or depth of the text. This will help you discover a natural way of writing that is completely authentic.

Transparency and Honesty

Be transparent about your affiliations, sponsorships, or anything else that may influence your content (including, you have to do this by putting up a Transparency page, Terms of Use, Disclaimer, among others on your blog). Honesty builds credibility. Your readers will appreciate your sincerity and trust you more. No one likes to feel like they're being deceived, so play fair and gain the trust of your audience.

Use Analysis Tools

It may seem a bit boring at first, but using analysis tools is a big plus. They help you better understand who your audience is, what they like, and how you can improve. Google Analytics, for example, can give you valuable insights into the behavior of your readers. Use this to know what your reader wants to read. I know that often the desire to write only what might be more profitable is strong, but remember that an article written with quality and passion ends up being noticed by the reader. Adjusting your content based on this data can greatly increase engagement and relevance of your blog.

Conclusion

As we navigate through the vastness of the internet, it's easy to encounter blogs and content that all seem the same - devoid of personality, lacking life. It's as if we're strolling down a bustling street where every shop sells the same generic product.

But here's the secret: you, as the author, have the power to prevent your blog from becoming just another address on that street. Your authenticity is your greatest weapon against the monotony of the dead internet. So, before hitting "publish" on your next post, I want you to ask yourself: am I being true to myself and my readers? Am I sharing my own stories and experiences genuinely?

Remember, it's your unique voice that makes your blog special. So, be bold, be authentic, and make a difference in the digital landscape. Your authenticity not only helps prevent the internet from becoming a more lifeless place but also makes your blog a must-visit amidst the crowd.

Thank you very much for being here. I'll see you in the next post.