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I spoke to a former VP of tripadvisor when they had acquired Viator. The business model they had was to get commissions on bookings(and ads), and apparently did
by ankit219 8y ago
I spoke to a former VP of tripadvisor when they had acquired Viator. The business model they had was to get commissions on bookings(and ads), and apparently did not get that the volume needed. He compared the experience of browsing trip advisor for booking experiences as 'When you step out of the airport and a 1000 taxi drivers screaming at you all at once to choose their taxi for commute." (he then went on to join Musement I think)
Even now, for hotels they have made it like booking.com. The problem is that I am on tripadvisor for reviews, and would never trust a review from a site when the site is trying to sell me something. Like why would a site show me a negative review if that would mean i would not book the property.
All things said, I think the social feed model could work for them. They are about users browsing the experiences of other users (through reviews, ratings and forums) and this facilitates that. Though other social networks already have a lead in that space. Given their already high distribution, they could have a decent userbase in no time. Eager to see how this one goes.
- peteretep 8y ago> and would never trust a review from a site when the site is trying to sell me something I'm not sure I've noticed a difference in reliability between Booking's ratings and TripAdvisor's.
- ArrayList 8y ago> and would never trust a review from a site when the site is trying to sell me something. I guess you don't use Amazon.com?
- SmellyGeekBoy 8y agoTo buy stuff I've already researched elsewhere? Occasionally. For reviews? Absolutely not.
- ankit219 8y agoTwo different answers here. If I am looking to buy something that I have already researched elsewhere, I would look at the reviews, but wont lay much weight to it. I have an idea of what the product is and what it is supposed to do before buying. Plus there is trust in Amazon that if the product is faulty, I can get a replacement or refund. If I am looking to buy something in general(may or may not be from Amazon), and looking for review, I will research on my own, but not look at Amazon for even referencing. It is in their interest to only show good or mildly bad reviews for the product. Especially the ones visible right on top or first scroll.
- jpalomaki 8y agoShowing negative reviews can make sense if this means you will remain on their website and conduct your research there instead of jumping to some other site. Also for them, it does not matter if you do not book a particular hotel, as long as you eventually book something through their site.