The Remodeling Of The Internet - Why Trust Is Critical

I recently came across an interesting study of 2000 US adults questioning the shift in the use and trust of the major internet tools and where trust lies.

My TLDR

• There are concerns over trust and the quality of Google

• Most understand Google is an ad-driven model and sponsored results aren’t always helpful

• There is a movement to people I know and trust (on platforms like Discord, Patreon and Substack)

• The impact from social media is felt and is seen as a negative

• Big platforms are slowly losing their trust

• People are seeking out community (and go niche where possible)

• Over half are asking communities/smaller groups and use tools like TikTok for answers (vs search engines)

• Many (over half) want more in-person connection

Interesting & Key Takeaways

• 60% would equate the state of social media negatively,

  • Stating: They feel like a number in a giant algorithmic machine

  • A place of never-ending product placements

  • A place where I’m a data point waiting to be sold

Community

• 75% of people would agree that the digital world has replaced face-to-face interaction

• Where do they gather information from

  • Discord 22%

  • Patreon - 9%

  • Substack - 6%

  • Fediverse - 4%

• 9 in 10 feel news and social media are creating an echo chamber effect, leading to deeper societal divisions

• 53% believe communities should be no more than 200 people digitally

• How respondents see ways to engage in communities

  • Sharing content within the community 54%

  • Commenting on posts/contributing to the chatter 53%

  • Liking or reacting to posts 50%

  • Creating original posts or content 45%

• 44% crave more human-driven, less algorithm-dependent content

• 38% want increased privacy and data protection

• 86% of people crave smaller, more personal digital spaces with those they care about

The Google Search Impact

• 42% said Google (and search engines) are becoming less useful.

• 76% said that more than a quarter of Google Search shopping results appear to “be sponsored or promoted.”

  • 14% described sponsored or promoted results as “very helpful.”

• 55% said they get information from their community more than search.

• 52% said they use AI chatbots or alternative platforms (like TikTok) for information rather than Google Search.

• 66% said the quality of information is deteriorating, and question the reliability of its sources.