The accidental Facebook success story?

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When I first met Hadi Partovi and his team he was on the floor of his Seattle startup putting together an air conditioner. We joked about what it takes to make a successful startup (I told him I was thinking of leaving Microsoft) and that being the head of a startup means getting your hands dirty doing weird jobs like setting up airconditioners so your team can keep working. That was just about a year ago. I already knew that Hadi was brilliant. Why? The folks who worked for him at Microsoft (Steve Rider and Sanaz Ahari) told me so. He was the one who put together the skunkworks start.com team which later became live.com. Unfortunately Microsoft couldn’t keep Hadi happy, so he left and started iLike with his brother, Ali. A bunch of smart engineers from Microsoft and other places came along too (Rider left to join the team there).

In that first meeting, and a video interview with Ali since then I don’t remember them ever talking about Facebook. I don’t know if it wasn’t on their radar screen, or what, but I don’t think that a year ago they ever expected that Facebook would turn into the platform it has and that they would be the top player on top of that platform. I’d love to know the story of how they decided to change their business into a Facebook-focused one.

It doesn’t really matter why or how, though, because about a year later, they are the hottest startup around and are signing up 300,000 new people a day. That’s just absolutely incredible. I don’t know of a faster growing startup in terms of signing people up.

If you read my link blog you’ve already seen these blogs and a few others talking about Facebook’s success, but definitely don’t miss the one by Marc Andreessen where he digs into the pros and cons of the Facebook platform.

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Published by Robert Scoble

I give you a front-row seat on the future. Focusing most of my efforts now on next-generation augmented reality and artificial intelligence, AKA "mixed reality." SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER: http://clevermoe.com/scobleizer-news/ BUY OUR NEW BOOK: https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Transformation-Robert-Scoble/dp/1539894444 "The Fourth Transformation: How augmented reality and artificial intelligence will change everything." WATCH MY LATEST SPEECHES: State of VR with Philip Rosedale (done in VR itself, very cool): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zAA1EVGUZU At GEOINT, June 2017: http://trajectorymagazine.com/glimpse-new-world/ Augmented World Expo, June 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4xHILvLD8E At Leade.rs, April 2017: https://youtu.be/52_0JshgjXI +++++++++++ BIO: Scoble gives you a front-row seat on the future. Literally. He had the first ride in the first Tesla. Siri was launched in his house. He's been the first to share all sorts of technologies and companies with you, from Flipboard to Pandora to Instagram. Today he's focusing on mixed reality, AKA "next-generation augmented reality" which will include a new user interface for EVERYTHING in your life (IoT, Smart Cities, driverless cars, robots, drones, etc). That's based on his view thanks to his past experience as futurist at Rackspace. Best place to find Scoble? On his Facebook profile at https://www.facebook.com/RobertScoble He has been a technology blogger since 2000, was one of five people who built Microsoft's Channel 9 video blog/community, worked at Fast Company Magazine running its TV efforts, and has been part of technology media businesses since 1993. ++++++++ SPEAKER PITCH: Apple and Facebook now have revealed their Augmented Reality strategies, which means your business needs one too. Rely on Robert Scoble, the world's top authority on AR, to bring to your conference what businesses should do next. SPEECH ABSTRACT #1: TITLE: The Fourth Transformation: What's next in mixed reality (AR and AI) and the future of technology? Here's an example of this talk at Leade.rs in Paris in April, 2017: https://youtu.be/52_0JshgjXI Why "the Fourth Transformation?" Soon we will have phones and glasses that do full on augmented reality. Everything you look at will potentially be augmented. This world is coming in late 2017 with a new iPhone from Apple, amongst other products. Microsoft is betting everything on its HoloLens glasses that do mixed reality and the industry is spending many billions of dollars in R&D and funding new companies like Magic Leap. This future will be the user interface for IoT, Smart Cities, autonomous cars, robots, drones, and your TV. This is a big deal and Robert will take you through what mixed reality is and how it will change every business. Learn more about Robert's speaking style and contact his agent at http://odemanagement.com/robert-scoble/Robert-Scoble.html ++++++++ SPEECH ABSTRACT #2: "The Next Two Clicks of Moore's Law." Over the next four years, or two clicks of Moore's Law, a ton about our technology world will change. Scoble will bring you the best from his travels visiting R&D labs, startups, and innovators around the world. He views the world through his rose-colored-mixed-reality glasses, which will be the new user interface for self driving cars, Smart Cities, IoT, and many other things in our world. He'll send you off with some lessons for companies both large and small. ++++++++ SPEECH ABSTRACT #3: "Personalized Meaning: What is Augmented Reality For?" As we enter a far more technological world where even cars drive themselves, I predict we'll see a blowback toward the analog, more authentic world. What role does augmented reality play in both worlds? Get Scoble's insight into where augmented reality is going, see tons of real-world demos, and understand what he means by 'personalized meaning.' CONTACT: If you are looking to contact me, email is best: scobleizer@gmail.com. ++++++++ ENDORSEMENTS: IZEA Top 25 Tech Influencers: https://izea.com/2017/07/07/25-top-tech-influencers/ Time: One of the top 140 Twitterers! FT: One of the five most influential Twitterers! Inc. Top 5 on list of Tech Power Players You Need to Know: http://www.inc.com/john-rampton/30-power-players-in-tech-you-need-to-know.html Next Reality: #4 on top 50 AR influencer list: https://next.reality.news/news/nr50-next-realitys-50-people-watch-augmented-mixed-reality-0177454/

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33 thoughts on “The accidental Facebook success story?”

  3. I was told an adage by a CEO before my first startup:

    “Only two people pick up the litter in the hallways of a company–the janitor, and the CEO”

    After a couple of startups I know that to be true.

    Like

  4. I was told an adage by a CEO before my first startup:

    “Only two people pick up the litter in the hallways of a company–the janitor, and the CEO”

    After a couple of startups I know that to be true.

    Like

  5. It’s just another SN site. Wait until you see what I’ve done. What’s on my localhost. It won’t be too long now. I’ve seen sites like ilike come and go for 3 years now. It’s no big deal. It’s like finding a penny on the ground.

    Like

  6. It’s just another SN site. Wait until you see what I’ve done. What’s on my localhost. It won’t be too long now. I’ve seen sites like ilike come and go for 3 years now. It’s no big deal. It’s like finding a penny on the ground.

    Like

  7. Hi Robert-
    We heard about the iLike story from Hadi, too, when he was unpacking servers and getting them running as fast as he could just to keep up with the demand from Facebook. I don’t think anyone expected such an explosion from Facebook, iLike didn’t even have a chance (or the need, it turns out)to promote themselves as a cool option to add to your profile. Of course, in hindsight…
    I think we’ll see the Facebook paradigm start to spread to other social networks – maybe it’s another baby step toward semantic web. BTW iLike is presenting at the Under The Radar conference on June 28th in Mountain View, can’t wait to see what they’ll have to say about their massive scaling adventure and where they see themselves going now.

    Like

  8. Hi Robert-
    We heard about the iLike story from Hadi, too, when he was unpacking servers and getting them running as fast as he could just to keep up with the demand from Facebook. I don’t think anyone expected such an explosion from Facebook, iLike didn’t even have a chance (or the need, it turns out)to promote themselves as a cool option to add to your profile. Of course, in hindsight…
    I think we’ll see the Facebook paradigm start to spread to other social networks – maybe it’s another baby step toward semantic web. BTW iLike is presenting at the Under The Radar conference on June 28th in Mountain View, can’t wait to see what they’ll have to say about their massive scaling adventure and where they see themselves going now.

    Like

  9. Sounds inspiring.

    This is the first time I heard of ILike, and when I went there, i fell in love almost immediately. No wonder it has 6 million users already.

    I keep thinking, isnt it amazing how technology is affecting social interactions.

    Like

  10. Sounds inspiring.

    This is the first time I heard of ILike, and when I went there, i fell in love almost immediately. No wonder it has 6 million users already.

    I keep thinking, isnt it amazing how technology is affecting social interactions.

    Like

  13. Can’t get on at Google, so trying for Facebook, eh?

    Dismissive less than 2 weeks ago, now all the rage, and all you been taking about. Record in quick turnarounds. 😉

    As far as social networking goes, Facebook is the least worst of the lot, has that much going for it at least (for now that is). I still detest the entire lot. But they should pitch private Facebooks, like at companies or even sep. Dept’s, so Facebook becomes far more local, more Craigslistsy; your own Personal Pan Facebooky Jesus. Facebook would be a good fit for you, light on tech, heavy on tech celebrity smooze networking. I’d say take it.

    iLike, oh brother, misleading viral adoptional rates, Widget wheeeee. How so eyeballs 1999, Ticketmastering their way to certain doom.

    Like

  14. Can’t get on at Google, so trying for Facebook, eh?

    Dismissive less than 2 weeks ago, now all the rage, and all you been taking about. Record in quick turnarounds. 😉

    As far as social networking goes, Facebook is the least worst of the lot, has that much going for it at least (for now that is). I still detest the entire lot. But they should pitch private Facebooks, like at companies or even sep. Dept’s, so Facebook becomes far more local, more Craigslistsy; your own Personal Pan Facebooky Jesus. Facebook would be a good fit for you, light on tech, heavy on tech celebrity smooze networking. I’d say take it.

    iLike, oh brother, misleading viral adoptional rates, Widget wheeeee. How so eyeballs 1999, Ticketmastering their way to certain doom.

    Like

  15. “I’d love to know the story of how they decided to change their business into a Facebook-focused one.”

    Um, I really doubt that’s how it happened. They made a widget and it was wildly successful. I don’t think they wildly changed their business.

    Like

  16. “I’d love to know the story of how they decided to change their business into a Facebook-focused one.”

    Um, I really doubt that’s how it happened. They made a widget and it was wildly successful. I don’t think they wildly changed their business.

    Like

  17. I don’t think they wildly changed their business.

    Hahahah, you forgot that mass email they sent out (that the press got aholda), drumming up for every spare server in Silicon Valley. They have had to increase server capacity like mega, success can kill. Web 2.0 apps aren’t made to scale, so they are going to chew through so much infrastructual expensess, that they will need to get more funding, before they even start to make a dime. Facebook is really going to be a big company or already profitable venture, as the costs can kill, before you even see a dime. Managed growth, don’t forget the Planet Hollywood lessons.

    Like

  18. I don’t think they wildly changed their business.

    Hahahah, you forgot that mass email they sent out (that the press got aholda), drumming up for every spare server in Silicon Valley. They have had to increase server capacity like mega, success can kill. Web 2.0 apps aren’t made to scale, so they are going to chew through so much infrastructual expensess, that they will need to get more funding, before they even start to make a dime. Facebook is really going to be a big company or already profitable venture, as the costs can kill, before you even see a dime. Managed growth, don’t forget the Planet Hollywood lessons.

    Like

  23. I like this post, because it reminds me my MBA times with cases.

    Second, I share most of the feelings expressed here, inspiring.

    Third, about the wear jobs we make when we are in a start up mode is something we have to remember every time we get one step up in the lather. This kind of jobs are very uncomfortable especially if we have worked in a big corp and you decided to jump out.

    Finally, I am working in a project and how I wish my gets illuminated to be like facebook!!

    Mario Ruiz
    http://www.oursheet.com

    Like

  24. I like this post, because it reminds me my MBA times with cases.

    Second, I share most of the feelings expressed here, inspiring.

    Third, about the wear jobs we make when we are in a start up mode is something we have to remember every time we get one step up in the lather. This kind of jobs are very uncomfortable especially if we have worked in a big corp and you decided to jump out.

    Finally, I am working in a project and how I wish my gets illuminated to be like facebook!!

    Mario Ruiz
    http://www.oursheet.com

    Like

  27. Also, in case anybody can do math, this website according to Alexa, opened a full year ago in July of 2006. 300k signups a day with only 6 million profiles means that they would have went live 20 days ago.
    20 * 300,000
    Unless you do math like Steve Ballmer, then it can mean anything!

    Cloning Friendster is so 5 years ago. Just wait until you see the next wave.

    Like

  28. Also, in case anybody can do math, this website according to Alexa, opened a full year ago in July of 2006. 300k signups a day with only 6 million profiles means that they would have went live 20 days ago.
    20 * 300,000
    Unless you do math like Steve Ballmer, then it can mean anything!

    Cloning Friendster is so 5 years ago. Just wait until you see the next wave.

    Like

  29. Also, this is REALLY weird.
    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.ilike.com
    Only 1 out of 10 visits is from the US. This looks like bot traffic to me.
    Compare to MySpace
    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.myspace.com
    Which actually has a multilingual interface and has 50% USA traffic
    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.tagworld.com
    Or tagworld
    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.vidilife.com
    or vidilife
    The traffic that’s really worth a lot of money as far as advertising is American.

    Do a little digging on this site.

    Like

  30. Also, this is REALLY weird.
    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.ilike.com
    Only 1 out of 10 visits is from the US. This looks like bot traffic to me.
    Compare to MySpace
    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.myspace.com
    Which actually has a multilingual interface and has 50% USA traffic
    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.tagworld.com
    Or tagworld
    http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=www.vidilife.com
    or vidilife
    The traffic that’s really worth a lot of money as far as advertising is American.

    Do a little digging on this site.

    Like

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