Intelligent convergence: Digital Technology Integration Driving the Dynamic Evolution and Future Outlook of Online Communities

Abstract

This paper examines the transformation of online communities under rapid digital technology advancement, focusing on changes in structure, interaction, and governance. Based on a bibliometric analysis of 139 studies from the Web of Science (2004-2024) using HistCite and CiteSpace, the study outlines the technological and organizational dynamics shaping community evolution. Findings indicate that community structures have shifted through three main stages: early centralized platforms grounded in Web 2.0, subsequently evolving into collaborative networks supported by cloud-based tools, and ultimately developing into intelligent ecosystems integrating AI, blockchain, and immersive technologies. This trajectory highlights the ongoing co-development of technology and organizational form. The study also shows that human-machine interaction significantly reshapes user behavior, as algorithmic content curation enhances distribution efficiency and personalization while generating challenges such as reduced transparency, limited originality, and tensions between large-scale expansion and the maintenance of knowledge diversity. Technological progress further promotes innovations in governance and value creation by improving platform quality and user experience, enabling practices such as refined marketing, enhanced knowledge sharing, and broader resource accessibility, although overly rigid rule systems may still create constraints. Keyword clustering identifies research hotspots including knowledge management, trust, human-machine collaboration, and platform quality. The study suggests that future work should focus on the impact of emerging technologies, transparency in algorithmic systems, inclusive interaction design, adaptable governance structures, and the long-term co-evolution of technology and community forms, offering insights for building sustainable and resilient digital community ecosystems.