Easier for newbies? LOL For some of us there was no internet when we first began in this hobby, no youtube, no fish forums. In the history of fish keeping, going back hundreds of years, today it is FAR easier for those new to fish keeping to jump online, spend some time researching (such as coming to forums such as this) and being successful from the get go. IMHO people that need to be spoon fed everything, won't last in this hobby, among other things first & foremost it requires dedication and a true love of fish. If you look at the data available through various sources you will see that the hobby of fish keeping (both marine & fresh) has grown steadily over the past few decades.
www.americanpetproducts.org
Companion animals | Exotic animals | Formulas/Calculator - Source: 2017-2018 U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.
www.avma.org
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension outreach is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. The University of Florida (UF), together with Florida A&M University (FAMU)...
edis.ifas.ufl.edu
Based on total numbers, freshwater fish is the most popular pet category in the United States. There will always be swings & trends based on various factors, but I don't see the hobby as a whole suffering, because newbies can't find the info that they need. IMO, that's ludicrous.