Facebook was down dramatically after its last earnings; to decide if it is justified it is worth looking at the company through many different lenses, both financial and strategic.
Another Congressional Hearing, The Genesis of Section 230, The Battle over Section 230
Section 230, which shields Internet companies from liability, is getting more attention: the only attention it should get is as a model for other regulations.
Twitter Reorganizes, Twitter Turnaround?, Twitter and the Extremes
Twitter is reorganizing the company, and it’s probably a good sign. Meanwhile, has the company made a turnaround? The product — and company — is inevitable high variance.
Instagram Launches IGTV, IGTV’s Monetization, YouTube Channel Memberships
Instagram’s launch of IGTV was impressive because of the clear thinking behind it; the long-term question, though, is about monetization, both for the service and for creators, something YouTube is good at.
Microsoft to Buy GitHub, A Win for GitHub, Facebook’s Data-Sharing Deals with Device Makers
Microsoft is reportedly buying GitHub, which makes a lot of sense for both Microsoft and GitHub, and all GitHub users. Then, why the latest Facebook scandal is probably overblown.
Snap’s Monetization Flaw; Microsoft and the Effect of Antitrust; Apple, Russia, and Telegram
Reactions from the Code Conference interviews with Snap CEO Evan Spiegel and Microsoft President and Chief Legal Officer Brad Smith, plus a very problematic demand of Apple by the Russian government.
The Bill Gates Line Follow-up, Twitter and the Bill Gates Line, Data Portability and Facebook
Following up on The Bill Gates Line, applying it to Twitter, and then why Facebook portability is a bad idea.
Spotify’s New Hate Policy, Twitter’s Behavior Policy, YouTube Music and YouTube Premium
Spotify’s new hate policy and Twitter’s behavior policy seem like good things at first glance, but what they suggest about the companies’s power is worrisome. Plus, YouTube’s subscription plans are as confusing as ever.
The Moat Map
The Moat Map describes the correlation between the degree of supplier differentiation and the externalization (or internalization) of a company’s network effect.
Spotify Earnings, Spotify’s Free Plan and Hulu Partnership, Snap Earnings
Spotify’s earnings were not what the market expected, but the company gained credibility. Snap, meanwhile, doesn’t have any credibility at all.