The Internet is a monumental and defining aspect of the 21st century. Even though it was launched two decades before, it truly unfolded into the present in the late 2010s. And today, it is connecting the entire world, bringing ideas, culture, and people closer to each other. However, the Internet is not all rainbows and roses; it is one of the most controversial aspects of society. The dead internet theory centres on the critical and significant claims made by the people. So, what is the death of the Internet, and how did this 2016 conspiracy gain attention online? Let’s learn more about it.
Dead Internet Theory
In simpler terms, dead internet theory means the death of authenticity and human intervention. It is the takeover of big platforms, whether government or private, to control the data on the Internet. Moreover, the rise of AI and machine learning models only adds to the prior claim that there are no real people online. Even though it is a wild claim, there is clear evidence of AI-generated data along with search results of your opposite intent.
So the next time you search for something, see the following parameters in your results.
- Centralised platforms.
- AI overviews.
- Low DA websites.
- Automated posts.
- Little blogs.
This doesn’t mean that no one is on the Internet; rather, it is a claim about the decline of people and their online expression. Moreover, in such claims, people are using the internet, which contradicts their statements.
Origins of the Dead Internet Theory
The theory emerged between 2016 and 18 on forums like Reddit and 4chan. For a long time, discussions have been held regarding the topic and its possibility. Therefore, it left the communities divided on the issue and its conclusion. Simultaneously, there were many internet personalities at the time who rode the hype of this conspiracy. However, there is no legitimate proof of the claims about the Internet made on the Internet.
The Beliefs of the Dead Internet Theory
When we talk about the dead Internet, it does not mean that there are no humans on it. It implies that automated processes make up the majority of online content. One great example is the domination of the entire sphere by bots. You can see this for yourself by checking the comment sections on any social media platform. Another example is the generation of AI-generated content, which is mostly low quality and recycled. Thus, dead internet theory claims to control people online by taking their originality and replacing it with a predetermined narrative.
- Domination of bot accounts.
- Pushing repetitive content.
- Market for advertisement efficiency.
- Void in the online sphere.
More Evidence Supporting the Theory
There is more to the claim about the death of the Internet. Remember in the old days, whenever you searched for something online, you got a lot of organic content. Even though the majority of the content was not relevant, it was unique, subjectively insightful and new. However, this is not the case today, as the majority of first-page search results on engines are mostly from high-domain publishers. Thus, you’re not getting the originality, which was a key factor in the old days.
- X bot floods.
- YouTube comment sections.
- TikTok spam.
- AI accounts.
Technological Factors That Fuel the Theory
With the onset of AI-generated text, images, and videos, it’s not wrong to say the Internet is full of artificial content. And this content floods your search results, leaving you with the same articles and the same information. Hardly anything is new or relevant to intent. Even if there is something useful, you have to scroll past the endless advertisements and generative content to find relevancy. Moreover, the use of similar SEO practices has led to the homogenisation of content on the Internet—everyone wants to rank better rather than being unique.
Criticisms and Counterarguments for Dead Internet Theory
To prove a theory, you need empirical data and evidence. And even though the dead Internet resonates with several people, it’s mostly subjective and anecdotal. However, it doesn’t mean that it points to irregularities and modern-day problems with search results. This website publishes organic articles; however, most of the articles are not on the first page, but they’re still on the Internet because of competition.
- Livestreams.
- Niche communities.
- Learning platforms.
- Substack and more.
People need to understand that the number of Internet users has quadrupled over the years. That’s why there is so much content about a single topic. This leads to an increase in data, articles, and websites on the Internet. However, this doesn’t mean that there are no humans. Still, the majority of the platforms and websites with live streams, videos, and audios dominate the Internet.
Cultural and Psychological Aspects Regarding the Internet
There is a lot of emotional and nostalgic value attached to the old Internet in the present generation. Everyone loved the previous era because it was original, new, less corporate and more personal. However, all things changed, and now the Internet has evolved into a mess of everything—articles, pages, videos, advertisements and more. Thus, none of us can truly foster meaningful connections with others online. It’s a sort of oxymoron.
Is the Dead Internet Theory True?
Let’s say that if the theory is true, then it would be disastrous for the whole world. It will have a drastic impact on democracy, public opinion and trust. There could be even larger economic consequences for creators. Within a few days, the world will suffer the erosion of online communities.
Spot AI-Generated or Bot Content for Better Internet Surfing
AI is everywhere on the Internet. Therefore, it becomes essential to spot it for a better surfing experience. With the tips below, you can have a great time online by eliminating the possibility of view-generated content.
- Repetitive sentence structures.
- Unnatural phrasing.
- Lack of personal anecdotes.
- Non-verifiable details.
- Generic visuals or stock images.
- Identical comments across posts.
The Future of the Internet
AI will dominate the Internet in the future. It is the direction in which the world is heading. However, this does not mean that humans have no role on the Internet. There is a possibility of predicting and eliminating AI content from the Internet. At the same time, the world can see the problem of misinformation since anyone is capable of writing anything without authority. Thus, there is a chance of content platforms that are accessible and controlled by legitimate human writers or creators.
Final Thoughts on Dead Internet Theory
The theory about the death of the Internet is highly controversial. Although it raises several valid points, it also leaves many unanswered questions. Moreover, the concerns regarding the internet are not theoretical but practical and subjective. That’s why many people are critical of the Internet’s evolution. Again, the primary concern is the presence of humans online because at this pace, AI and bots will take over, and it might be the end of the Internet as we know it. So, we can only hope that the future is human-driven and safer for surfing across the web.