September 1, 2025, 6:04 am | Read time: 3 minutes
In September 1993, many things changed on the web. What happened back then laid the foundation for the often lacking quality in today’s internet forums. TECHBOOK explains the term “Eternal September” in this context.
Anyone searching the internet, especially in various forums, for information on specific topics or even assistance, must filter through a lot before finding something useful. Since practically everyone can comment on questions and discussions, well-founded and professionally supported answers are not always available. It used to be different. The declining quality of posts in internet forums is considered a consequence of the so-called “Eternal September.” TECHBOOK explains the phenomenon in more detail.
What Does the Term “Eternal September” Mean?
The term Eternal September (translated: “Eternal September”) refers to the impact of a change in September 1993. At that time, the internet giant AOL changed its usage settings and allowed its customers to participate in discussions on “Usenet”—a precursor to today’s internet for information exchange.
Until then, only students with the appropriate qualifications could post contributions or answer questions. More about this can be read in the nonfiction book “Posttraditional Communities: Theoretical and Ethnographic Explorations.” At the beginning of September, universities would grant newcomers access to the then-modern information network. The students needed some time to familiarize themselves with the prevailing customs there. By the end of the month, they were generally “Usenet-fit.”
But then, as mentioned, it opened up to everyone. As a result, Usenet became crowded, and this had far-reaching consequences.
Declining Quality Due to Influx of Users on the Web
With the unrestrained influx of new users, the tone on the internet became harsher, and maintaining etiquette became rare. Responses to posts often lack quality and are sometimes even incorrect. This is at least the view of those who believe in the Eternal September.
In the past, it was customary to inform oneself about previous discussions before possibly posing a repeatedly dissected beginner’s question. Discussions became more arbitrary overall—truly qualified users soon found it impossible to engage in high-level exchanges. This is a problem that users of forums like Reddit and others still face today. If they want to have sophisticated discussions, they must first wade through an endless mass of new, often unqualified comments.
An end to the influx of new users and new “experts” is not in sight. The effects of that one fateful September are therefore considered to be felt “eternally” (“eternal”).