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Why the Instagram founders really quit

theverge.com

11–20 of 112 posts

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#11
post #2

So they crippled a better performing product to protect a lesser product - or rather to protect some egos. I refuse to believe they are that stupid.

Never underestimate the importance of ego. :-) Companies frequently make bad acquisitions due to the ego of the founder. (This is not an example) Other times founders spike the pet projects of their rivals.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#12
post #3

The introduction of the article discuss the title, then it detours to analyze social media, Twitter, Russia, China. Looks like 3/4 social media articles stitched together

That is intentional - it's a regular column about social media:

"The Interface is a daily column about the intersection of social media and democracy. Subscribe to the newsletter here."

The headline is the leading story and the final paragraph before "Democracy" brings the story to a close.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#13
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Facebook app probably has better ad revenue potential? I just opened up instagram and scrolled through for a bit and I didn’t see a single ad. Seems very different from the Facebook experience.

I don't know which Instagram you're using, but every two or three posts for me is an ad. The "second person's story" when watching stories is an ad. Instagram has, by far, more ads than any other app that I use.

If you don't care about notifications uninstall the app and use the web interface in a browser. It's not quite as slick and responsive as the app, but I've never seen an ad there.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#14
post #9

I'm surprised there is not one mention of the word "vesting" in the entire article. Systrom left six years after the acquisition (likely full vested) and shortly after returning from paternity leave.

A 6 year vesting schedule would be highly unusual. AFAIK it’s usually 2 (or maybe up to 4) years after an acquisition. Therefore I don’t think that this was a factor in his decision.

Things are different at that high level. Not always “vesting” technically, but various retention bonus payout milestones.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#15
post #9

I'm surprised there is not one mention of the word "vesting" in the entire article. Systrom left six years after the acquisition (likely full vested) and shortly after returning from paternity leave.

A 6 year vesting schedule would be highly unusual. AFAIK it’s usually 2 (or maybe up to 4) years after an acquisition. Therefore I don’t think that this was a factor in his decision.

I don't have a citation here but I think facebook tried to create a slow vesting schedule for these aquihires so they would have golden shackles

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#16
post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Facebook app probably has better ad revenue potential? I just opened up instagram and scrolled through for a bit and I didn’t see a single ad. Seems very different from the Facebook experience.

I don't know which Instagram you're using, but every two or three posts for me is an ad. The "second person's story" when watching stories is an ad. Instagram has, by far, more ads than any other app that I use.

I also think instagram ads are actually pretty close to normal posts [embedded effectively] so to me they are more effective. another reason to avoid being used by zuck

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know which Instagram you're using, but every two or three posts for me is an ad. The "second person's story" when watching stories is an ad. Instagram has, by far, more ads than any other app that I use.

If you don't care about notifications uninstall the app and use the web interface in a browser. It's not quite as slick and responsive as the app, but I've never seen an ad there.

Unfortunately the web version still lacks messages and stories, which are what brings me in.

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#18
post #4
post #2

So they crippled a better performing product to protect a lesser product - or rather to protect some egos. I refuse to believe they are that stupid.

Facebook app probably has better ad revenue potential? I just opened up instagram and scrolled through for a bit and I didn’t see a single ad. Seems very different from the Facebook experience.

I'm scrolling through my IG feed to compare notes. Of my feed posts, the following are ads:

2nd, 6th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th…

Of my stories, the following are ads:

2nd, 5th, 9th, 13th, 17th, 21st, 25th, 29th, 33rd…

Re: Why the Instagram founders really quit

#19
post #2

So they crippled a better performing product to protect a lesser product - or rather to protect some egos. I refuse to believe they are that stupid.

It looks stupid because you're assuming all actors have the same goal: make the company they work for the "best," however that is measured. But that's often not the goal of executives. They are often more interested in protecting and gaining power.
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