Honestly, I've noticed it functions like a really efficient shorthand, but sometimes it flattens conversation. Like, everyone's calling something 'dark academia' now when it's just a book with a library in it, you know? But the real power is how it builds community—you see 'morally gray' or 'touch her and die' and instantly know the vibe, you're already on the same page. It lets you jump straight into the good stuff: the ship dynamics, the tropes you either love or hate.
That said, it can create weird pressures. Suddenly your TBR isn't just books you want to read; it's a checklist of 'spicy romantasy,' 'cozy fantasy,' and 'sad girl books.' You feel obligated to categorize everything. I've definitely seen discussions where people just exchange buzzwords without really digging into why a character is compelling or a trope worked. The terminology gives you a fast pass into the fandom, but maybe sometimes you skip the deeper scenic route.