Tumblr continuing on a downward slope

Tumblr is a micro-blogging web platform that lets users share all sorts of text, images, and videos. Although many of its users gravitate towards sharing content about fictional works, Tumblr blogs can be about anything the user chooses. In June 2013, Yahoo bought Tumblr for approximately $1.1 billion. Ever since the purchase, users have noticed some negative changes to website.

One simple change has been the oversimplification of the site’s design. Instead of keeping your blog statistics, such as how many followers you have and how many blogs you follow, off to the left of the page, they are now pushed into a floating header bar, along with messages, options, and notifications. Even if this change is small, it is still inconvenient.

The most annoying addition to the website is the introduction of advertisements. The sponsored posts on Tumblr are more active than ever and they are completely unwarranted. Originally, there were just recommended blogs near the top of the website. But currently, as you scroll down the dashboard, these dumb-looking frames containing ads keep popping up. I joined Tumblr because I had the freedom to pick and choose which content I wanted to see, but now that freedom has been taken away.

Another bothersome aspect is the fact that there are plenty of other problems the Tumblr staff could be working on. Users have constantly and actively voiced their opinions about issues such as: fixing the video player, implementing an effective chatting system, or allowing for more access control settings for private blogs. However, these cries have gone unheard as the staff continues to make updates that go against the wishes of the community and decrease the usefulness and enjoyment of the site.

Tumblr plays an important part in many users’ lives. Millions of teenagers use the website to discuss their interests and make friends through previously nontraditional methods. Countless others use it to discuss serious issues plaguing our society, such as gender or racial issues. The degradation of the site only grows the frustration of these users who may not have a place to shares their ideas and values. If the site continues down this path, its popularity may wane and another site may be able to take its place. Although I doubt this will happen anytime soon, it is still a possibility if Tumblr keeps disappointing its users.