Growth Hacking is a term used by people who are not developers and certainly not "hackers" in it's original sense, it is a term derived by people in marketing who want to jump on the "hacking" bandwagon they keep reading about.

Whenever you see the phrase "Growth Hacking" in any context, stop reading, close the tab, turn the page, otherwise divert your attention as anything following this red herring of a term will be marketing doublespeak and otherwise useless garbage.

Sadly the word hacking has lost almost all meaning and is in it's death throws. Shame too.

Growth Hacking is just a fancy name for growing your products reach by adding functionality that makes it spread faster.

I'm sick of hearing people call themselves growth hackers after adding Facebook integration and sharing buttons.

Despite the "fad" it's a very important area where almost everyone falls down.

The results Mint, airbnb and path got from "facebook integration and sharing buttons" is spectacular and should not be overlooked.

Wait, I thought it was about making yourself into a better person.

Edit: Damn it that's "life hacking" I think. I was wrong. Guess I'm not hackery enough for the hacker club.