Subscriberivate

Subscriberivate is a term that has emerged in discussions surrounding subscription-based business models. It refers to the practice of a company making it difficult or complex for a customer to cancel their subscription. This can manifest in various ways, such as requiring customers to call a specific phone number during limited hours, navigate through multiple pages of a website, or even send a written letter to cancel. The goal of subscriberivate, from the company's perspective, is to reduce churn, the rate at which customers stop doing business with them.

The concept gained traction as subscription services became more prevalent across a wide range of industries, from streaming media and software to e-commerce and news publications. While some companies may argue that these cancellation processes are in place to ensure customer retention and provide support, critics often view subscriberivate as an unethical tactic that exploits customer inertia and frustration. It can lead to customers unknowingly continuing to pay for services they no longer use or want.

Consumer advocacy groups and regulatory bodies have paid increasing attention to subscriberivate tactics. Some jurisdictions have introduced or are considering legislation aimed at simplifying subscription cancellations and requiring companies to offer cancellation options that are as easy to use as the sign-up process. The debate around subscriberivate highlights the tension between business goals of customer retention and the consumer's right to easily manage and end their subscriptions.