The 'save for later' paradox: why we hoard digital content we never read

You probably have saved 500 articles, 200 videos, and 100 podcasts, right? You will get to them ... someday. But will you really?

I know, I know. There have been loads of in-depth, and lengthy discussion about whether save-for-later apps actually work, or if they are just digital graveyards packed with articles, blog posts, videos, and podcast you wanted to consume but never revisited. The 'save for later' paradox is the gap between our intention to consume content and our actual behavior. And it is not only as present as ever, but is likely intensifying due to the explosion of AI-generated content and the accelerating pace of information creation. The internet has always been flooded with new content every single day, but with the recent developments of AI-generated content, the flood reached new highs.

AI tools are now flooding the internet with content at an unprecedented scale, which makes it harder than ever to discern what is worth saving, let alone reading. Looking back, information was scarce, and saving it made sense. However, now information is overabundant, but our saving habits have not adapted. We need to ask ourself the question whether "saving for later" is still a rational strategy in an age where more content will always be generated tomorrow.

The more we save, the more we feel overwhelmed, and the less we actually consume.

Obviously, that does not affect everyone. Personally, I like the idea of having a personal library of articles and blog posts I can come back to whenever I want to read something. I set some dedicated time aside to simply browse through my read-it-later app, read some articles, and delete others I am no longer interested in. Information overload can be overwhelming, but there is a chance to filter signal from noise and create your personalized information and content streams, which can become a goldmine of knowledge.

The anatomy of the paradox

There are certain cognitive and emotional reasons behind saving things to consume them at a later stage. Those reasons can be FOMO, the desire to learn, or the intention to be more productive (which is often an illusion as people think they are productive when they save loads of articles and blog posts to their read-it-later app). Saving an article can feel like progress, however the act of saving is often confused with learning or engaging. Once you saved an article, you get a temporary sense of control over information overload, even if the content is never revisited. Many users often save content with vague intention of reading it "someday". And for the majority of those users that "someday" rarely arrives. This mirrors the broader human tendency to procrastinate on meaningful engagement in favor of immediate, low-effort actions.

When we save content, we do it with the best intentions, but our brains are wired to prioritize immediate rewards over delayed gratification. We get hit with a small does of dopamine, as it feels like we have "captured" something valuable, even if we will never consume it.

When we save content for later, it is a way to defer the mental effort required to process it in the moment. Based on this, save-for-later apps can become a crutch for avoiding decision-making about what to engage with right now. And over time, users get faced with an ever-growing backlog packed with the sheer number of saved items, which can create anxiety or guilt, as users suddenly feel pressured to "catch up", which ultimately can lead to avoidance or even abandonment of the app.

The digital hoarding phenomenon

Digital clutter pretty much resembles physical clutter. Just as some people hoard physical items "just in case", others tend to hoard digital content for a future that never comes. Why do people continue to save content when they know that they probably will not get around to consume it? Do we all have some hoarder tendency?

Why do we keep saving content we know we’ll never consume?

What we are observing here is a societal pressure to consume endlessly, to be productive, enriched, and entertained. This pressure drives us to build ever-growing reading lists, watchlists, and bookmarks, only to realize we will never reach the mythical 'list zero.'

Is digital hoarding just a modern manifestation of our inner packrat? Or is it something more, a coping mechanism for the overwhelming flood of information in our lives? One thing is clear: our digital habits reflect a deeper struggle with attention, aspiration, and the fear of missing out.

The role of technology

Some read-it-later apps exacerbate the paradox by making it too easy to save content without prompting users to actually read it, while others try to combat this by introducing features like reminders, reading streaks, or progress tracking. Nevertheless, there is little incentive to revisit content once you have saved it.

Once content is saved, it disappears from our immediate attention. While there are apps out that try to nudge users to actually consume the content they have saved, there is a fine line between encouraging engagement and the risk of over-designing, as too many notifications or gamified features can yet again feel overwhelming or manipulative.

The illusion of productivity

The act of saving content can feel like work, while most of the time it is just a form of procrastination, as people tend to confuse activity with achievement. Loads of people are using "save for later" as a way to feel productive without actually doing the work.

Why does saving content feel like work? One reason is the societal pressure to be endlessly productive. We are told we must consume hundreds of articles, books, and podcasts each year because learning and self-improvement are tied to productivity. While there is truth to this, we often forget that consuming content can also be a leisure activity, something we do for enjoyment rather than obligation.

It can and should also be about joy, curiosity, and relaxation.

How to break the cycle

There are multiple ways and practical strategies in order to tackle your content backlog:

• The "Two-Minute Rule": If an article takes less than two minutes to read do it immediately instead of saving it.
• The "80/20 Rule" for saving: Be ruthless, and only save content that is truly valuable or actionable, otherwise discard it.
• Schedule dedicated reading time: Block out dedicated time in your calendar to revisit saved content. Treat it like an important appointment, because it is**.**
• One in, one out: For every new item you save, delete or archive an old one. This keeps your backlog manageable and ensures you’re only holding onto what truly matters.

Embrace your content backlog

But you can also embrace your content backlog, since you are the best possible curator for yourself. When you have been saving content for later over multiple years, you have created your personally curated library of articles, videos, stories, podcasts that keep you busy for days. Whenever you have time on your hands, it can be so much fun to explore all the great content you have saved. You can be almost certain to find something interesting, since you are the best person to pick stuff tailored to your interests.

Most of us will probably never be able to clear their reading list, watch later, or any other content backlog, and that is fine. It is probably better to have a library full of stuff tailored to your interests, instead of having just a couple of content items you picked up recently, or even having nothing.

Reaching "save for later list zero" should not be something to strive for. Instead, we should be thankful for a treasure trove to brilliant content.

The goal isn’t to clear your backlog, it is to engage with it in a way that enriches your life. Whether you dive into it during a quiet afternoon or revisit it for inspiration, your saved content is a testament to your intellectual journey. So, the next time you feel guilty about your unread list, remember: It is not a to-do list. It is a treasure chest.

Till next time! 👋‌‌‌‌

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