There was less internet users in 2021 than today. The rise is slowing down.
www.oberlo.ca/statistics/how-many-people-use-internetIf the rise is slowing down, then maybe there will be the same type of rise in players joining a website.
One algorithm is not enough to see the full picture. An engine that cannot solve a fortress does not see the full picture. So maybe it needs to broaden the candidate moves a bit more to see the full picture too.
The comprehension of what is happening and the harmony of everything else needs to work together. Only comprehension and harmony can clear the air and reduce confusions and wrong assessments.
The rating is to pair people and the pairing is done with pairings similar to our own. For a rating to increase one must lower. But the amounts that one goes up compared to what goes down is not the same. The end result is ratings will either increase or decrease in value. If only chess had a max peak rating and everything else must go down if one person or engine reaches that rating. No two players should ever be considered equally skilled or rated with the same number. But we have players that have the same rating. We are all unique and different.
If a person learns something new in chess and uses it, it still does not guarantee the rating will increase. The rating only changes because you won or drew or lost against another person, for what ever reason. An opening and a rating is affected by two players at a time. It's the choices that two players make that makes the difference. So maybe in 2022 players view about chess has changed. That's like saying we played too fast in 2022 compared to 2021. Now you have to prove that statement. If it's true, than it too needs to be included in the formula which will add more weight to the subject title.
If a white wall has a black spot on it and you are only permitted to see the black spot. Then all you see is a black wall. That's a statistic formula that does not include the full picture. The need to know makes us see only what others want us to see and nothing else.