I'm not sure if this is 'Operate as if in a vacuum' so much as 'Challenge assumptions', especially if you are entering a competitive market. Challenge the form

I'm not sure if this is 'Operate as if in a vacuum' so much as 'Challenge assumptions', especially if you are entering a competitive market. Challenge the format, the value, the technology, and the ability of users (both searchers and advertisers) to learn and adjust when the technology delivers more value. It was a ballsy move. Any number of 'hypothetical' scenarios could have seen it fail massively. Of course, we know that it didn't - and even if it may in your business, there's still good reason to challenge the assumptions you and everyone else are making.