They might actually be rebounding.. I have seen a lot of people lament the limited structure of SM and chats.. and then wonder if there is an alternative..I much prefer forums but “most” people seem to think they are “dead and gone”. Buuuuut I will fight tooth and nail to keep forums alive.
It is the reason I started forums for the businesses I am currently involved with, and people do prefer that to SM.. so between those that have left SM and those that are leaving paid software for ones like MyBB, I'd say that forums are making a comeback.. not that they ever really left..