Are forums on their way out? Dead Internet Theory?

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • LarryMyster
    Talkative Tyro
    • Jul 2025
    • 33

    #1

    Are forums on their way out? Dead Internet Theory?

    Has anyone noticed that there are hardly any active forums out there? For example of a dying forum (and not to throw them under a bus but as an example,) The Admin Zone, their last post announcement was in 2017. Admin Zone was a mega forum to cater to small and growing forums, and also big forums respectfully. They even did interviews with Giant Forum owners and software developers. It's in my opinion that forums are mainly used for internal corporations now or publishers in music or video game industry. Independent forum owners are either struggling to get people and keep people active. It's really sad that the "Dead Internet Theory" is becoming more reality. More than 51% of activity of the world wide web are from bots as of 2025, the more access people have to smart phones and apps that's connect them to social media such as Facebook, reddit, insta, snap, X (twitter), and so on, so really the more Dead Internet Theory becomes more true each and every passing day as owning a website as a hobby is becoming less and less fun or interactive. Not many people are wanting to go online and join a community that fits their niche of conversation. That back n forth topics or threads is becoming obsolete...

    Am I the only one that see's this or am I going crazy?
  • Shawn
    Administrator
    • Oct 2024
    • 1617

    #2
    I think forums are turning very niche, meaning only certain people like this.

    I've been a member of TAZ for like 20+ years. I lurked before it for many years.

    I run quite a few forums. They're not that big and I doubt they're going to grow that big but I still have fun running them. As long as I can have even a small community (like here on this forum), I'm happy with that.
    Check out my other forums:
    Admin Forum | Cycling Forum | Hiking Forum | Paranormal Forum

    Comment

    • Pcmaker
      Super Moderator
      • Jan 2025
      • 82

      #3
      Yeah, Reddit pretty much took a lot of steam out of forums but even before then, forums was declining

      Younger people dont post on forums, they didnt grow up on it

      Comment

      • Shawn
        Administrator
        • Oct 2024
        • 1617

        #4
        Originally posted by Pcmaker
        Yeah, Reddit pretty much took a lot of steam out of forums but even before then, forums was declining

        Younger people dont post on forums, they didnt grow up on it
        Yeah. Early 2000s were great for forums, then about 2010 they really started going down, especially as mobile apps and social media came into play.

        I'll keep doing them as long as there is a small community. I don't need a big board and in all honesty, it's cheaper not to have one LOL
        Check out my other forums:
        Admin Forum | Cycling Forum | Hiking Forum | Paranormal Forum

        Comment

        Working...