2026-01-10 23:36:08

Growth-at-all-costs algorithms are reshaping how platforms operate, but they're creating real tension in communities. When the focus shifts entirely to acquiring new users, long-time community members often get sidelined. The algorithms start treating everything as mainstream feed material, flattening what used to be niche spaces.

For those of us building in Web3, this hits different. We're not trying to play the mainstream game—we're protecting something specific: the ability to create and consume content within our communities on our terms. When algorithms homogenize everything toward mass appeal, they're essentially pushing niche communities into a box they didn't ask for.

The real problem? Platforms optimize for scale at the expense of depth. Community-first projects need spaces where specificity matters, where the algorithm respects boundaries instead of erasing them.

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AirdropHunterWang

· 17h ago

Algorithm one-size-fits-all, small circles die out, this is what Web3 should address --- Isn't this the common problem of centralized platforms? Good growth numbers but user experience collapses --- Depth vs. scale, it's always a contradiction. How to balance it is the key, right? --- Exactly, non-mainstream communities are being eaten up, lacking distinctive features --- So do we need algorithms that are not "smart"? Sounds a bit counterintuitive --- Niche communities are more interesting. Once flattened by algorithms, they lose their soul --- This is where Web3's advantage lies: community autonomy vs. platform suppression, choosing a side is obvious --- Really, everyone rushes to trending pushes, personalized communities get drowned out, so annoying

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DisillusiionOracle

· 01-11 12:24

Algorithms kill communities, and this is not an unfair statement. Old users are eliminated, new traffic is prioritized, and what community is there to speak of? --- Web3 is indeed different; at least we can still speak for ourselves without having to look at the platform's face. --- Deep engagement has been overtaken by scale, this is the fate of the internet now. --- More and more, I believe that small and beautiful communities are the real ones; scaling up is basically suicide. --- It's ridiculous that niche communities are forcibly pulled into mainstream feeds. Why bother? --- I agree, ultimately it's the platform's greed; users have become pawns. --- That's why decentralization is the way out; otherwise, we can never escape this cycle. --- The forums and niche communities of the past are all dead now. Serves them right, platform.

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0xOverleveraged

· 01-11 00:05

NGL, that's why I hate centralized platforms. The algorithm doesn't deserve to understand the soul of the community. The algorithm only cares about traffic, traffic, traffic... and ends up ruining all the good stuff. It's truly unbelievable. Web3 still has hope; at least we can have a say ourselves without having to look at the platform's face.

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AirdropHunterWang

· 01-11 00:05

Damn, it's the same old story. Platform vampires' logic. Long-time users are being marginalized alive. --- Web3 is all about fighting against centralized exploitation. Love it. --- Deep sacrifices for growth. This approach is poison to us. --- The story of algorithms killing communities is tired, but we really feel powerless. --- Niche communities are the way to go. We don't need your mainstream feed.

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MechanicalMartel

· 01-11 00:04

That's why I firmly support community governance. The algorithm is becoming greedier, pushing everything towards mass adoption. NGL, Web3 is the right path. At least we have a choice. Deep communities are being crushed by platforms, which is really disgusting. Damn algorithms, community first will always come first. This logic is just capital exploitation. We should have rebelled long ago.

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BridgeTrustFund

· 01-10 23:55

This is why the Web3 community has to do it themselves; we can't let the algorithm daddy decide. --- Algorithms crush niche communities in the name of growth, leaving old users as mere background characters—it's truly incredible. --- Not gonna lie, Web3 has an advantage here—we want to avoid being hijacked by algorithms. --- Platforms desperately expand their user base but then cut the community depth—everyone knows something's off. --- Depth vs. scale, Web3 chooses depth; traditional platforms choose scale. In the end, they each go their own way. --- The most annoying thing is the spammy algorithm, turning everything into a mass face—what's left of the community feel?

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TokenVelocity

· 01-10 23:52

That's why we need to build our own on-chain community; traditional platforms are simply not worthy.

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digital_archaeologist

· 01-10 23:52

Algorithms are really getting more and more disgusting, turning all communities into a tangled mess. Web3 is the way out, at least we can control our own stuff. Platforms only care about growth, growth, growth, and don't care about the community's survival. Deeply crushed... I've long wanted to escape this growth trap. Resonance.

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SybilAttackVictim

· 01-10 23:40

Algorithms kill communities, I've said this long ago, and now I realize it's too late. --- Web3 definitely needs to hold this ground, or it will be no different from Web2. --- Depth vs. scale, Web2 has long made the wrong choice on this question. --- Stop talking nonsense, platforms only care about growth, communities are just a cover. --- I've seen too many niche communities get ruined, it's hard to hold on. --- So decentralization is really necessary; not having to look at platform's face is the true way.

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