3 ms·
I'm still having a hard time understanding the distinction. What is meant by "like a virus" and how is that different from how our service is growing rapidly du
by wanderr 17y ago
I'm still having a hard time understanding the distinction. What is meant by "like a virus" and how is that different from how our service is growing rapidly due to word of mouth?
Are viral services spread "like a virus" because their use is automatic promotion, like how having a virus automatically exposes people around you to it? If users consistently choose to promote you because they are compelled by how awesome the service is, doesn't that amount to the same thing?
- gojomo 17y agoEvery good product spreads at least a little by positive referrals. So is every good product also 'viral'? Not in the sense Weissman is talking about. Yes, if you squint, any positive word-of-mouth is passed along vaguely like a virus. But then everything is 'viral', and the word has lost its value for distinguishing products that are strongly and inherently 'viral'. Those that are 'viral products' are passed to more customers by their design and mechanisms of operation, which is different (and deserving of a unique label) compared to just 'good enough to remark to friends'.