悲报！Stack Overflow彻底凉了，比18年前上线首月问题数量还少

Core Viewpoint - Stack Overflow, once a thriving platform for developers, is experiencing a significant decline in user engagement, with the number of questions now lower than during its initial launch period 18 years ago [1][21]. Group 1: Historical Context - Stack Overflow was launched in 2008 to provide high-quality, reusable answers to programming questions, quickly becoming a vital resource for developers [7][9]. - The platform's unique voting and reputation system allowed for the creation of a structured knowledge base, making it the default destination for technical searches on Google for a long time [10][12]. Group 2: Decline in Engagement - Despite a significant increase in the global developer population and the emergence of numerous tools and languages, the act of asking questions on Stack Overflow has drastically decreased [4][21]. - The peak of Stack Overflow included over 180 sub-sites covering various STEM fields, but the platform is now facing challenges due to the rise of AI tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT, which have changed developers' problem-solving habits [15][17][20]. Group 3: Impact of AI - The introduction of AI tools has led to a shift from public questioning to private inquiries, with developers now preferring to ask AI for solutions rather than posting on Stack Overflow [19][22]. - While AI tools rely on the quality content from Stack Overflow, they have diverted traffic away from the platform, leading to a decline in user engagement [23][24]. Group 4: Internal Challenges - Prior to the rise of AI, Stack Overflow was already facing issues due to its strict moderation policies, which discouraged new users from participating [26][27]. - The platform's attempt to integrate AI features resulted in a decline in content quality, further eroding user trust and engagement [28][29]. Group 5: Future Considerations - The future of Stack Overflow may hinge on whether it can refocus on niche technical areas to regain its unique value or fully embrace AI to restructure its operational model [32].