hype cycle
Technology adoption pattern
A hype cycle is the predictable pattern new technologies follow in public perception: initial excitement builds to a peak of inflated expectations, crashes into a trough of disillusionment when reality disappoints, then gradually climbs to a plateau of productive understanding.
The term was coined by the research firm Gartner and applies beyond technology to trends, movements, and cultural phenomena: We're past peak hype cycle on AI—now comes the hard work.
- buzzContinuous low drone
- next big thingAnticipated future phenomenon
- trendDirection of change
- inflatedExpanded with gas
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
disillusionment · plateau · peak · trough · adoption · early adopters · emerging · bleeding edge · overpromise · too good to be true · silver bullet · bubble · frenzy · breakthrough · mainstream · maturity · innovation · crash
- cyclescircle of life, period, rhythms, oscillations, full circle
- viral cultureviral videos, going viral, viral challenge, memes, meme
- Trend Termsfads, crazes, trendsetter, influencer, fad
- launcheslaunch, launched, rocket launch, blast off, satellite launch
- marketing tacticsword of mouth, referrals, viral marketing, SEO, brand loyalty