Why do web3 projects struggle with spam and low-quality content?

Web3 projects often grapple with spam and low-quality content due to a fundamental misalignment between the motivations of different user groups and the financial incentives embedded in these platforms. This issue can be understood through the lens of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

At the apex of Maslow's pyramid is self-actualization—where individuals seek personal growth, creativity, and fulfillment. Many founders and early adopters of web3 projects, often from well-off backgrounds or with prior successes, operate from this level. They view web3 innovations, including meme coins, as cultural phenomena and avenues for personal expression.

Conversely, the majority of users in web3 ecosystems are primarily focused on the base layers of Maslow's pyramid: physiological and safety needs. For them, participating in web3 projects is a means to secure income and financial stability. This discrepancy in motivations creates cognitive dissonance. While founders envision a utopian digital culture, many users are driven by the prospect of monetary gains.

The introduction of financial incentives, such as airdrops, exacerbates this issue. Airdrop farmers join web3 projects not out of genuine interest in the product but to exploit these incentives for quick profits. This influx of users solely interested in financial rewards leads to a proliferation of spam and low-quality content, as their primary goal is to maximize short-term gains rather than contribute meaningfully to the platform.

Unlike web2 apps, which typically do not offer direct financial incentives for participation, web3 projects mistakenly interpret the presence of these airdrop farmers as a sign of product-market fit. In their quest for growth, they cater to these exploitative behaviors, resulting in platforms inundated with low-value interactions and ultimately, subpar user experiences.