#PowerToTheConsumer: Insights from 30 Leading Consumer AI Founders, Operators, and Thinkers

PowerToTheConsumer: Insights from 30 Leading Consumer AI Founders, Operators, and Thinkers

How Highlights on Medium Changed Publishing Forever

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, it is becoming increasingly important for companies to adapt and innovate in order to stay relevant. This holds true for both startups and incumbents in the consumer AI and publishing industries. By examining insights from 30 leading consumer AI founders, operators, and thinkers, as well as the impact of Highlights on Medium, we can gain a deeper understanding of the strategies and approaches necessary for success.

One common thread that emerges from these insights is the importance of building a long-term moat. While AI itself is a powerful tool, the true moat lies in network effects, proprietary data, being first-to-market, having engaged communities, and delivering a superior user experience (UX). These factors help companies establish a strong foothold in the market and create barriers to entry for competitors. OpenAI, for example, not only had the best data set but also built a brand on the back of its papers and founders' profiles, giving them a clear advantage. Similarly, being first-to-market, having engaged communities, and providing a magical customer experience are viable pathways to building a long-term moat.

In the case of Medium, their goal of being a platform for both stream-of-consciousness conversation and long-form writing presented a unique challenge in measuring value. Vanity metrics like views or clicks did not accurately capture the depth and engagement of the content. To address this, Medium optimized every product decision around a single key performance indicator (KPI): Total Time Reading (TTR). By focusing on how long visitors spent reading, Medium was able to measure true engagement and value.

One of the standout features of Medium, and a key factor in its success, is the Highlights feature. Highlights allow readers to engage with content on a more granular level, going beyond simply scanning the top points. By highlighting specific passages, readers are able to capture their thoughts, challenge authors' ideas, and share insights with others. This social aspect of reading fosters discussion and enhances the overall reading experience.

For authors, Highlights provide valuable feedback and insights into what resonates with their audience. By knowing which parts of their posts are most engaging, writers can improve their content and better engage their readership. This direct line of feedback from the audience is instrumental in building a bigger audience and creating more engaging content.

To further enhance the Highlights feature, Medium introduced Highlight Responses, allowing readers to respond directly to Highlights. This encourages deeper discussion and increases engagement. Additionally, the visual design of Highlights was improved to match the custom color schemes of each publication, adding a personalized touch.

From these insights, we can distill three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Focus on true engagement: When measuring the success of your product, look beyond vanity metrics and find a metric that truly captures the value users are getting from your product. In the case of Medium, Total Time Reading (TTR) proved to be a more accurate measure of engagement.

2. Iterate and adapt: Start small and iterate as you learn. Medium's Highlights feature went through several iterations and improvements based on user feedback and usage patterns. By constantly refining and adapting your product, you can better meet the needs of your audience.

3. Understand user behavior: Don't assume that everyone uses your product in the same way. Take the time to analyze how users engage with your features and adapt accordingly. Medium's product ideas often come from analyzing user behavior and exploring unintended usage patterns.

In conclusion, the insights from leading consumer AI founders, operators, and thinkers, combined with the impact of Highlights on Medium, offer valuable lessons for companies striving to succeed in today's competitive landscape. Building a long-term moat, focusing on true engagement, iterating and adapting, and understanding user behavior are key factors in achieving success and driving growth. By incorporating these strategies, companies can harness the power of AI and revolutionize their respective industries.