announcement-2
Explanation
This is not a traditional comic but rather a long-form text announcement from Zach Weinersmith to his readers. In it, he explains that the SMBC website has changed significantly: the ads are gone, and he no longer has professional affiliations with a company called Hiveworks.
Zach describes the broader context of how web comics and independent content sites have struggled over the years. He discusses the decline of ad revenue, the rise of social media platforms that siphon traffic away from independent sites, and the increasing dominance of AI-generated content. He notes that artists, journalists, and recipe-makers have all suffered as social media sites absorbed their traffic and ad revenue. He announces his intention to take the site back under his own control, bring back non-annoying ads, make the site more accessible, and ensure the business remains sustainable. He also mentions plans to remove affiliate links and focus more on the Patreon and store. The tone is earnest and somewhat bittersweet, reflecting on how the internet landscape for independent creators has shifted dramatically over the years. He ends with gratitude toward long-time readers and a hope that the comic will continue for many more years.