Launching on Product Hunt should have been thrilling. And sure, hitting #2 was great, but it opened my eyes to something unsettling about the state of internet marketing today. As I watched bots, AI-generated fluff, and shallow interactions take over, I started asking myself: Is the internet dead? Let’s break this down.
Is Product Hunt Still a Good Platform for Launches?
Short answer: Meh. It depends on how much spam you can stomach.
When we launched, every founder I spoke to said the same thing: “Quality doesn’t matter; brute force does.” Success on Product Hunt isn’t about an incredible product or genuine interest. It’s about hustling your network for upvotes. That means sending reminders, spamming DMs, and nudging everyone in your circle to support you. Organic discovery? Ha! It’s a pipe dream.
What shocked me most wasn’t this hustle (I kind of expected that), but the sheer volume of bot-like, AI-generated comments. Dozens of “This is a game-changer!” remarks, yet our analytics showed three site visits. THREE. I laughed and cried at the same time.
What’s Up with LinkedIn, Reddit, and Twitter? Are They Just as Bad?
Oh boy, where do I begin? These platforms are swamped with AI-generated content. On LinkedIn, for example, scrolling feels like stepping into an uncanny valley of fake inspiration posts. You know the type:
"Woke up at 5 AM to grind, meditate, and reflect on how much I’m winning at life. Success is a mindset! 💪 #MotivationMonday”
It’s exhausting.
And Reddit? It’s a 50-50 split between human content and AI garbage. Same for Indie Hackers, where the shift to a paid model is a desperate attempt to salvage quality. Unfortunately, the forums I once loved feel emptier than ever, like a party full of mannequins.
How Did AI Ruin Marketing? Is There Any Hope Left?
I’ve watched this chaos unfold up close. AI didn’t just lower the bar... it bulldozed it into the ground. Here’s how:
- AI Makes It Too Easy to Spam. A year’s worth of mediocre content can now be generated in a week. And surprise: It’s all garbage.
- Authenticity Took a Back Seat. AI posts lack the human touch. People can tell, and they’re checking out emotionally.
- The “More is Better” Trap. Marketers are churning out quantity over quality, drowning the internet in fluff.
That said, I do think there’s an opportunity here: authenticity is the new premium. Content written by actual humans, even with typos and quirks, feels like a breath of fresh air. I’d much rather read something imperfect but genuine than polished AI drivel.
Is Word of Mouth Making a Comeback?
Yep, and I’m here for it. Organic marketing is hard, but it works. IRL events? Game-changers. We hosted a few meetups in Toronto, and the connections we made felt so much more valuable than any “upvote for upvote” nonsense.
The secret sauce seems to be this: People crave authenticity. They’re drawn to founders who are transparent about their struggles, successes, and oops moments (like forgetting to unmute during a demo—oops). Being real is your best bet for cutting through the noise.
What Can Founders Do in a World Full of Bots?
It’s tempting to take the easy route with AI tools, endless outreach, cookie-cutter strategies... but here’s the truth: easy doesn’t equal effective. If you want to stand out, try this instead:
- Double Down on Authentic Content.
- Write blog posts, newsletters, and social media updates yourself.
- Embrace imperfections. Typos are the new badge of authenticity.
- Focus on Your Craft.
- Instead of spending hours on bot-generated “engagement,” use that time to improve your product.
- Let your work speak for itself.
- Build a Community.
- IRL meetups, webinars, or even a Discord server can create meaningful connections.
- People trust people, not algorithms.
- Label Your Content.
- A small “ChatGPT-free zone” disclaimer might sound silly, but it sets you apart in a sea of AI sludge.
So… Is the Internet Actually Dead?
Not dead, but definitely on life support. Platforms like Product Hunt, LinkedIn, and Twitter are overrun by bots and low-effort AI content. The “Dead Internet Theory” (the idea that most content is created by bots) feels eerily accurate.
But here’s the silver lining: The human touch still matters. When you strip away the fluff, people still want to connect, share, and learn from others. The key is to resist the temptation of shortcuts and stay true to what makes your work unique.
Now, how Do We Navigate the Dead Internet?
In this post-AI content apocalypse, I’ve learned to cherish authenticity. Sure, the spam is annoying, but it’s also an opportunity. If you can offer genuine value, whether that’s through your product, your story, or your interactions... you’ll stand out.
Oh, and one last thing: Beware of hyphen abuse. AI loves sprinkling them—randomly—throughout sentences. It’s a dead giveaway. See what I did there? 😉
Now, back to figuring out if anyone real actually visited my Product Hunt page…