Commodify: meaning, definitions and examples

Use this term when you want to describe the process of turning something into a commodity that can be bought and sold. This is often used in socio-economic discussions to criticize how cultural or artistic things are treated purely for their economic value.

• Critics argue that by commodifying education, the true purpose of learning is lost.
• The commodification of sacred practices has led to widespread protests in indigenous communities.

This is best used for describing the process of managing or exploiting in a way designed to make a profit, often applied to new products or services. It can have a neutral or sometimes slightly negative connotation if it implies loss of original value.

• The company's main goal is to commercialize their new healthcare technology by next year.
• Many artists feel that the commercializing of their work compromises their creative integrity.

This term is used when discussing the process of generating revenue from an asset or business. It is often used in digital contexts like apps, websites, or content creation.

• She figured out how to monetize her blog through sponsored posts and affiliate marketing.
• The app developers sought ways to monetize their free software without annoying users with too many ads.

Often used in discussions about capitalism and the transformation of goods, services, or even ideas into commodities that can be bought and sold.

• The way social media platforms commodify personal information raises privacy concerns.
• Art is often commodified to fit the demands of the market.