3 ms·
Product Hunt's problem is that even though a less exclusive/biased system would create more value for users, such a system wouldn't allow PH to capture much, if
by w1ntermute 11y ago
Product Hunt's problem is that even though a less exclusive/biased system would create more value for users, such a system wouldn't allow PH to capture much, if any, of that value for themselves. By enabling biases in their listings, they're able to shift some of that value from the users over to themselves. It's good for the companies that get more attention than they deserve, and most consumers won't find out due to information asymmetry and apathy.
It's the same reason why you can't trust Yelp reviews - they needed to generate revenue somehow, and the only real option was to offer to hide negative reviews in return for money.
- cperciva 11y agothe only real option was to offer to hide negative reviews in return for money. I don't understand this. Why couldn't they sell "you seem to be looking for a dentist... this other dentist (who paid for this advert) has a higher rating than the one you're looking at right now"? It seems that Yelp could have been in the enviable position of selling advertising which is actually useful to the viewer.
- Fede_V 11y agoBecause then why would any dentist who is not at the top pay for advertising?
- cperciva 11y agoBecause they would gain customers who were previously looking at inferior-to-them (according to Yelp ratings) dentists.
- hayksaakian 11y agoYou would think so, but in reality they sell banners on a CPM basis on blanket categories. How they screwed up this opportunity, I don't know.
- hayksaakian 11y agoYou would think so, but in reality they sell banners on a CPM basis on blanket categories. How they screwed up this opportunity, I don't know.
- deleted 11y ago[deleted]
- timr 11y ago"It's the same reason why you can't trust Yelp reviews - they needed to generate revenue somehow, and the only real option was to offer to hide negative reviews in return for money." This isn't true. You are repeating unsubstantiated rumors as if they are fact. Source: I worked there. I know the code and processes in question. It isn't true.