The modern web is becoming unusable (omarabid.com)

Article summary

The modern web is becoming increasingly user-hostile, with websites prioritizing revenue and data collection over user experience. This is exemplified by the proliferation of ads, login prompts, and notification requests on popular websites like Facebook, Twitter, and Medium. The article argues that this trend is unsustainable and will eventually reach a breaking point, where users become fed up with the poor experience. The author cites their own experience with online banking and social media as examples of this phenomenon.

Main themes

• user experience
• revenue vs user satisfaction
• ads and tracking
• website design and functionality
• business models and ethics
• user agency and choice

What commenters say

• Some commenters argue that exit intent pop-ups are effective and justified as a means of maximizing the return on investment in content.
• Others disagree, citing the distraction and annoyance caused by such pop-ups as a significant cost to users' productivity and focus.
• There is a concern that the pursuit of growth and revenue is leading companies to prioritize short-term gains over long-term user satisfaction and loyalty.
• A few commenters suggest that the problem is not just with individual websites, but with the underlying business model of the web, which prioritizes advertising and data collection over user experience.
• Some argue that users are not just passive consumers, but have agency and can choose to avoid websites that prioritize revenue over user experience.
• Others believe that the issue is more complex and that companies have a responsibility to balance their need for revenue with the need to provide a good user experience.
• A few commenters mention that the situation is even worse in some countries, such as China, where websites often require users to download apps or provide personal information in order to access content.