The data reveals a notable decrease in Stack Overflow activity related to Google Apps Script from 2023 to 2024. There’s a reduction in total questions, questioners, answerers, and tags used. Interestingly, the ratios of answered and solved questions have increased. This suggests that while there’s less activity, a higher proportion of questions are getting resolved. A key factor influencing these trends is likely the rise of generative AI.
The latest report on the google-apps-script tag on Stack Overflow, published by Kanshi Tanaike, paints a fascinating picture: Google Apps Script is a maturing platform, but it’s also undeniably at a critical juncture. As Tanaike notes, “the rise of generative AI” is reshaping the developer landscape, and this is clearly reflected in the data.
The declining volume of basic Google Apps Script questions on Stack Overflow is arguably not a sign of the platform’s decline, but rather a signal of a significant evolution. This shift demands our attention and a willingness to explore the new opportunities and challenges it presents. This means actively seeking out new opportunities, adapting our skillsets, and rethinking traditional approaches to Google Apps Script development.
I believe the future of Apps Script rests on the skills of its developers and the strength of its community. Fostering a community capable of tackling complex integrations, building sophisticated automation within Google Workspace, and leveraging AI to enhance Apps Script’s capabilities is paramount. Supporting both current and new Apps Script developers, enabling them to unlock the platform’s full potential, is a key part of this future. The core value proposition, Apps Script’s unparalleled integration with the Google ecosystem, remains strong.
The real challenge, and the opportunity, lies in how the Google Apps Script community adapts, supporting knowledge sharing that goes beyond basic Q&A and cultivating a culture of deep understanding, critical thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. For us at AppsScriptPulse, this means continuing to share not just code snippets, but also design patterns, architectural best practices, and strategies for effectively integrating and evaluating AI-generated code.
