I recently made a post on Twitter regarding how I am finding myself using StackOverflow a lot less, with things like GitHub issues and good documentation replacing it.

Adrian Twarog

@adrian_twarog

🤔 Has anyone noticed that stack overflow isn't as useful to solve problems as it used to be?

🙍‍♂️ I am more often using GitHub issues to find and figure out those issues.

02:04 AM - 22 Apr 2020

116 1013

With this overwhelming response, I thought I would look into why so many people have a similar point of view.

So what did I learn?

• Getting better as a developer means you stop using StackOverflow
• New technologies are not covered as much on StackOverflow
• Lots of libraries exist on GitHub now with direct answers from the developers
• Better answers are provided on other forums like GitHub issues and Reddit
• People have more confidence an answer will be provided on GitHub
• Good documentation means less need for StackOverflow
• The community is no longer that positive on StackOverflow
• A lot of questions get closed without an answer on StackOverflow
• CEO of StackOverflow promised an overhaul of the website but it never happened.
• StackOverflow answer date isn't very easily seen. It could be very old or new
• Not many people vote on StackOverflow anymore, making it less useful.

Here are some tweets responses I found that related to these topics.

Hiku

@hikudev

@adrian_twarog They'll already now this, and promised to do something about it in 2018. stackoverflow.blog/2018/04/26/sta…

I've a better time answering beginner's questions on r/reactjs. No one yells at me for being useful, on Reddit from all places. 😋

17:28 PM - 22 Apr 2020

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NateRambles

@ramblesnate

@adrian_twarog It think it has more to do with us, as we evolve as devs we need more in depth information therefore the stuff on stack overflow that are aimed to more common problems just don't cut it anymore.

22:06 PM - 22 Apr 2020

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Muhammad Faraz

@alternatefaraz

@adrian_twarog The newer or less likely used technology questions are difficult to find on StackOverflow.

20:43 PM - 22 Apr 2020

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