I completely agree with this article as it particularly resonates with my personal experience. My biggest regret today is precisely not having created an independent platform like Discourse from the beginning of my journey.
In 2011, I launched a Facebook page dedicated to animal welfare. Success came quickly and impressively: hundreds of thousands of people rallied to this cause, creating a dynamic and engaged community. Interactions were numerous, discussions were enriching, and member participation was extraordinary.
Unfortunately, in recent years, all this momentum has collapsed. My posts, which once reached thousands of people, now only gather about ten “likes”. Participation has become almost non-existent. The most frustrating part? To regain even a bit of visibility, I’m now forced to sponsor my posts.
Years of hard work and a vibrant community have thus evaporated, trapped by Facebook’s algorithms and commercial policy. If I had to do it all over again, I would create my own independent platform without hesitation to preserve this beautiful community and maintain control over our interactions.