From Hype to Slop: Why 2025’s Word of the Year Matters for Online Creators
Every December, Merriam‑Webster crowns a Word of the Year — a signal of what’s shaping our culture. For 2025, the word is “slop.”
Defined as mass‑produced, low‑quality digital content, usually AI‑generated, “slop” captures the fatigue many feel with the endless flood of mediocre output. From books to ads to movies, generative tools like OpenAI’s Sora and Google’s Veo have filled every corner of the web. One study even found that by May, 75% of web content involved AI in some way.
The result? A “slop economy” where bad content still makes good ad revenue. Critics warn this could split the internet into two worlds:
High‑quality paywalls for those who can afford them.
Low‑quality free feeds for everyone else.
But here’s the twist: “slop” isn’t just mockery. It’s a cultural signal. We’ve moved past the hype of “AI can make content” into the exhaustion of asking: “Should it?”
Why This Matters for Creators and Affiliates
For those of us building businesses online, this word is a wake‑up call. It reminds us that:
Information matters more than output. Flooding the web with content isn’t enough; resonance and clarity are what people value.
Authenticity is currency. In a slop economy, genuine voices stand out.
Community is the antidote. Belonging, dialogue, and shared rituals cut through the noise.
At Wealthy Affiliate, this is especially relevant. Affiliate marketing thrives not on slop, but on trust. Readers don’t want another generic AI‑spun article; they want guidance, stories, and recommendations that feel human.
My Takeaway
“Slop” may be Merriam‑Webster’s Word of the Year, but what does it mean for us as creators, affiliates, and storytellers?
We can build spaces where information is valued, where stories are shared, and where growth feels authentic. The challenge and opportunity lie in 2026 and beyond.
I’m not against the use of AI; in fact, it can help us so much. But it has to remain a tool that supports your creativity and connection, not a replacement for your unique voice.
Do you feel the internet is drowning in low‑quality content, or do you see this as an opportunity for authentic voices to shine?
Share your thoughts below. I’d love to hear how you’re navigating the balance between AI tools and genuine connection in your work.
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Recent Comments
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Hi Luc, this made more sense to me because it names what many of us feel but rarely say out loud: the internet is getting louder, but not necessarily better. I see a real risk that we get trained to skim, scroll, and forget, and then even good writing starts to feel like “too much work” for the reader. In that kind of noise, trust becomes the real product, not traffic.
For me, the opportunity is also real. If we write from lived experience, keep our recommendations honest, and build community through real conversation, the “slop economy” becomes a filter that pushes serious readers toward serious creators. I use AI too, but I try to keep it as support, not as my voice. Luc, what is your personal rule for knowing when AI is helping your work versus flattening it?
John
Thank you for your response, John.
I really resonate with your framing of trust as the real product in today’s noisy internet. That’s exactly why I always start with a draft in my own voice first, and then let AI polish it. For me, the rule is simple: AI should stay a helping tool, never a replacement. If it starts flattening my rhythm or stripping away the lived texture, I know I’ve leaned too far.
And since I’ll admit I’m not the best at finding SEO‑friendly titles, I often ask for suggestions after the draft is done. That way, the heart of the piece stays mine, while the polish and discoverability get a boost.
Thanks, Luc for the reply. I'm also learning that we can actually train AI to write with that lived experience infused into the text, whenever needed, but it take time and effort to make it work. We still need to do the work ourselves, using AI.
This is a brilliant post, perfectly summarizing the critical lifecycle of buzzwords in the online space! Understanding the journey from "Hype to Slop" is essential for creators to know when to adopt a trend and, more importantly, when to move on to maintain originality.
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Hi Luc! I'm always sure to add my own content to all AI I do. It still takes me a bit to make a post, but it's worth the extra time :)
Teri