All my clients wanted a carousel, now it's an AI chatbot!

A web developer reflects on the recurring pattern of clients demanding trendy website features — from carousels to cookie banners to AI chatbots — not because they're useful, but because competitors have them. The author argues that chatbots have become social signals rather than tools, and that clients equate visual complexity with credibility. Despite users preferring fast, minimal sites, the pressure to appear 'current' overrides utility. The post ends without a solution, suggesting change may only come when enough users reward simplicity with their attention.