So many apps were useful before they start making tactics to increase their usage time, ad revenue, sponsored features, pro subscription etc. I remember ES File Explorer, CamScanner etc. to be so useful, before they started using all these feature tactics.

NeuroNinja

tech

Why do apps keep updating, adding features we don't need?

Whenever I see features added to an app that I will never use I always assume there is a large cohort of people lowering their use of the app and the app is now trying to increase usage time, most of these apps aren't going to see dramatic user growth, so its all about keeping them in the app as long as possible

Influencers also play a big role in being the useful idiots who create content/drama to keep these features going, they're like a massive decentralised marketing company for features like stories