Revolution.Social Chris Messina on Hashtags, Google+ & the Unintended Consequences of Building Social Media
14 snips
Aug 28, 2025 
Chris Messina, a tech innovator and the mind behind the hashtag, dives deep into the evolution of social media. He reflects on the failure of Google+, citing its focus on Google's needs over user experience. The conversation highlights how algorithms compromise authenticity, while hashtags, initially a tool for connection, often incentivize manipulation. Chris also warns of the challenges posed by AI and advocates for authentic human connections, urging the next generation to prioritize meaningful engagement in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
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Use Domain-Backed Usernames
- Move usernames off provider domains to your own domain to retain control and resist takedowns.
- Prefer accounts tied to domains you control and follow people who have moved to their domains.
Algorithms Trade Completeness For Relevance
- Algorithms tune feeds to show what will engage users, which typically increases time spent versus chronological feeds.
- People often want chronological control without weighing the trade-offs in relevance and attention.
Incentives, Not Hashtags, Cause Spam
- Hashtags were corrupted when platform incentives rewarded gaming them for reach, not community discovery.
- Messina emphasizes tool abuse comes from incentives, not the symbol itself.
