Eight Years On – Some Reflections

Eight Years On – Some Reflections

I’ve been here on Udemy for 8 years now. In that time, I’ve seen the ups, the downs, and everything in between. It’s been quite a journey watching this platform evolve not just in terms of business strategy, but in the way it relates to the very people who gave it life: the instructors.

I remember the big conversations we used to have here. Heated debates about coupons being removed. The percentages shifting. The launch of Udemy Business. The revolving door of CEOs and staff. All those moments shaped the way many of us felt about being part of something we thought was built with us, not just on us.

For a long time, I was more active here sharing, learning, voicing thoughts. But over the years, I’ve felt an erosion of energy between Udemy and the people who supply its heartbeat. It feels, to me, like the moment the IPO happened, something changed forever. The glass walls went up. Changes came piecemeal, and what once felt like community started to feel like dismantling.

I don’t say this lightly, because I know the moderators and many staff here genuinely do their best. But today I read Lawrence’s post about a new “Head of Content, Instructor & Creator Strategy.” And once again, the wider world knew before the very people who helped build this platform did. To me, that says so much about where things are today.

Those of us who have poured in our time, our energy, our love, our passion we don’t feel like partners anymore. We feel like “Instructor #2751.”

What really struck me recently was Udemy’s opening line in its Nasdaq profile:
“(Nasdaq: UDMY), a leading AI-powered skills acceleration platform.”

And I found myself asking: is that what we are now? A skills acceleration platform with AI? Because that is not what gave Udemy its chance. It wasn’t algorithms or accelerators—it was people. Real people with heart and knowledge, with stories and wisdom, who wanted nothing more than to share what they knew to help others.

I’d love nothing more than to be wrong. I’d love nothing more than to see things turn around—for all the people I’ve come to call friends here. But I fear the conversion has already happened.

For me, that’s the saddest part. We’ve gone from a human, collective force to something that feels increasingly mechanical. And I can’t help but wonder if, when the light of true human connection goes out here, what will really be left.

Maybe that’s me being sentimental. Maybe it’s me being tired. But after 8 years, I think I’ve earned the right to say it out loud.

Whatever happens, I wish you all blessings, success, and peace.

Julian x

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Comments

MuhammadDuj869

Dear Julian x,

Indeed, your words are true. I have been with Udemy since 2021 and it was great journey. The current transformation is really hurting all of us and most of good instructors will leave Udemy if this trend moves.
Udemy role out the subscription based model quite few years back and still today instructors have no idea that how much time of their course is being consumed. Now suddenly, Udemy put its all focus on PP which has resulted drastic change in the revnue of the most of instructors. In this case, instructors have no option except to look for better alternatives. It seems that there will no more space of us here. The most of revenue will go to Udemy and penates will come in instructors wallets.
Having said that, i truly appreciate the role of udemy in our personal uplifting and making us brand in our own domains.

Matthieu

Wow @Julian This is exactly how I feel right now. Reading your words was like hearing my own thoughts echoed back to me. . Thank you for putting it so eloquently.

I, too, hope we’re wrong. I hope there are brighter days ahead for all of us who’ve poured so much into this platform, not just as instructors, but as people who genuinely care about learning and sharing. The community spirit is what made Udemy special, and I’d love to see that spark reignited.

Here’s to hoping for more transparency, more connection, and a future where we all feel valued again. Wishing you all the best, Julian, and sending good vibes to every instructor who’s ever felt like just a number.

Let’s keep supporting each other because at the end of the day, that’s what matters most.

Matthieu

Parker

Well said.

LawrenceMMiller

@JulianJenki396 Welcome back. I remember fondly some of the discussions (maybe debates) we had. It is good to have your voice heard again.

I think the large change that has happened is a shift in orientation toward business customers and business relevant courses. However, I think it is important that Udemy support other types of courses. That is how I landed here. I first took a course on acoustic blues guitar (Jim Bruce) and that gave me the idea of taking my previously developed training IP and turning it into online courses.

I do think, however, that in the past few months Udemy is taking serious steps to address instructor needs and interests. Hopefully the latest appointment will assist in that.

Jonnyboy

Julian,

Reading your reflection really struck me because it echoes so much of what I’ve been feeling myself. Like you, I came here with energy, ideas, and the belief that Udemy was building with us, not simply on top of us. Over time, it’s been hard not to notice the walls rising higher, the human connection thinning out, and the focus shifting more toward mechanics and away from the heartbeat of this place: the instructors and learners.

What you wrote about the IPO really hit home. The language has changed. That’s painful, because it was the human spark—the creativity, the passion, the real-world knowledge—that made Udemy what it is today.

Still, I want to hold onto a little hope that things can turn, that transparency and community can be rekindled. Until then, posts like yours remind us that we’re not alone in feeling this way, and that our voices still matter, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

Thank you for putting into words what many of us carry quietly. Wishing you—and all of us here—renewed energy, connection, and a platform that remembers its roots.

— Jonas

SivakamiS2017

Yes, Udemy is trying to turn things around now … but the reduction in UB Revenue is quite demoralizing ! Marketplace is almost a joke now, and I expect it to get worse as PP gets promoted heavily. But when UB revenue declines, steadily but surely, its a big blow !
I am currently working on a major Course update, I used to enjoy them a lot earlier, enhancing the content with the latest research, and also refining the flow and presentation etc. But now it's far less enthusiastic. Almost like a "check-box" !

PuneetGupta453

As I mentioned, I truly hope the new hires at Udemy demonstrate their value by boosting instructor revenue alongside Udemy’s growth — and not by growing Udemy’s revenue at the expense of instructors.

Mik365

Its brutal, as someone who built my niche and took it to a new level on the platform, this new plan is so disrespectful but if we all leave the platform will be screwed. So we need to ban together to make sure they go back to the old way and refine it in a better way. As your self, who wants to subscribe to online courses. Look at skillshare, that platform is dead now. Im absolutely pissed. I had 5 of my highest revenue months followed by the five worst.

Michael

Rafał Podraza

I’ve been on the platform for over 6 years now, and it’s very clear that revenues started to drop once the focus shifted to the Personal Plan. They really need to go back to the normal, old system that was actually working. Every instructor I talk to is outraged by this change.

LindsayMarsh

I just canceled my AI course that I was under contract with Udemy to make. I Just don't think larger courses are going to do well in the personal plan model. I also did not want to be stuck in an exclusivity deal and be stuck with my course only being on udemy with udemy revenue falling so fast.

JulianJenki396

As you can see from the feedback on this post, that there are so many great and amazing people who helped Udemy be what it is today feeling like they are stuck. Its a shame