3 ms·
Maybe b/c Google doesn't have as strong lock-in/moat as traditional monopolies? There's nothing keeping common users from fleeing Google's search and platforms
by SkyMarshal 10y ago
Maybe b/c Google doesn't have as strong lock-in/moat as traditional monopolies? There's nothing keeping common users from fleeing Google's search and platforms and using alternatives. Advertisers may have to stick with Google b/c it gets the most eyeballs, but there's nothing locking in those eyeballs to Google other than that Google executes well (and not even on everything, they've had plenty of failures).
Android, search, email, and web video have multiple competitors, little user lock-in (effective advertiser lock-in yes, but the advertisees can easily go elsewhere). Google Social Network essentially failed, Google AWS is nowhere near as preferred as Amazon AWS, etc.
- tripzilch 10y agothe "Google Services" platform on Android is almost impossible to opt out from. it operates mostly under the hood, and is not very visible, but so many apps depend on it and won't run without it, because it provides network and persistence services that would be a huge battery drain if coded by hand. Still, to use it, you need a Google acct and opt in to their activities data recording privacy stuff. this is a big reason why using an open app store like f-droid isn't a lot more popular.
- mirimir 10y agoYeah, that's why I won't use Android.
- mirimir 10y agoOK, but there must be barriers to entry, because no mainstream credible alternatives have arisen. A few have leeched off Google. DDG is good, but in my experience, rarely as good as Google. I don't know what the barriers are. One is clearly technological lead. The other is probably some sort of market inertia.