Enshittification
- “what is enshittification”
- “why did the internet get worse”
- “enshittification stages”
- “who coined enshittification”
:: COMPARE ::
EnshittificationvsPlanned obsolescence
The short answer
Planned obsolescence degrades a product you own. Enshittification degrades a position you are locked into. The lock-in, not the decay, is the actual mechanism — you stay because leaving costs you your data, your audience or your history.
Side by side
| Aspect | Enshittification | Planned obsolescence |
|---|---|---|
| Target | A platform position | A product |
| You can leave | Technically | Yes |
| Needs two sides | Yes | No |
| Ends in | Collapse | A new purchase |
Which one you meant
Readers who land here meaning Enshittification rather than Planned obsolescence are usually searching for phrases like “what is enshittification”, “why did the internet get worse”, “enshittification stages”.
Read either one in full