How Pinterest and Kippt Revolutionized Collecting and Sharing Online

How Pinterest and Kippt Revolutionized Collecting and Sharing Online

In recent years, there has been a surge in the popularity of online platforms that allow users to collect and share content that interests them. Two such platforms, Pinterest and Kippt, have emerged as leaders in this space, each with their own unique approach to solving the problem of organizing and sharing online content. This article will explore the success stories of Pinterest and Kippt, and how they have become the go-to platforms for collecting and sharing content online.

Pinterest, often referred to as "the web's next big thing," was founded by Ben Silbermann, who was inspired by the movie "Pirates of Silicon Valley." Silbermann's move to California was motivated by a desire to be close to people who inspire him, a sentiment that he believes is crucial for success. After facing multiple rejections from investors, Silbermann took matters into his own hands and convinced them that they would miss out on a hot deal if they didn't invest in Pinterest. This bold move paid off, and Pinterest started gaining traction.

One of the key factors that contributed to Pinterest's success was its focus on personalization. Silbermann believed that the things people collect say a lot about who they are, and this belief became the foundation of Pinterest's mission. Users were encouraged to create boards and pin content that resonated with their interests and personality. However, Pinterest initially faced a challenge in getting people on board with the concept. It was only after a program called "Pin It Forward" was organized, where bloggers exchanged pinboards about what home meant to them, that Pinterest started gaining momentum. This event served as an inflection point for the platform, and Silbermann realized that they had something special.

On the other hand, Kippt, a collaborative bookmarking app, took a different approach to solving the problem of collecting and sharing links. Founded by a Y Combinator-backed team, Kippt aimed to become the "GitHub for links," providing users with a platform to collaborate and share links in a more efficient manner. Kippt's co-founder, Jori Lallo, recognized that email and wikis were the main competitors when it came to discussing and sharing links. To address this, Kippt added commenting functionality, allowing users to have discussions directly on the platform, eliminating the need for long email threads or noisy chat rooms.

Both Pinterest and Kippt recognized the importance of social collaboration in their respective platforms. Pinterest aimed to connect users with similar interests and create a community where they could share and discover content. Kippt, on the other hand, focused on streamlining discussions and making it easier for users to collaborate on links. By incorporating social features, both platforms were able to differentiate themselves from their competitors and provide a unique experience to their users.

So, what can we learn from the success of Pinterest and Kippt? Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace personalization: Understand that people's interests and collections are a reflection of who they are. By allowing users to personalize their experience, you can create a stronger connection and foster a sense of community.

2. Focus on solving a specific problem: Identify the pain points in your target audience's current workflow and develop a solution that addresses those issues. By providing a streamlined and efficient experience, you can attract users and stand out from the competition.

3. Incorporate social collaboration: Recognize the value of social interaction and collaboration. By enabling users to communicate and discuss content directly on the platform, you can create a more engaging and interactive experience.

In conclusion, Pinterest and Kippt have revolutionized the way we collect and share content online. Through their unique approaches to personalization and social collaboration, they have created platforms that resonate with users and provide a valuable service. By learning from their success and applying the actionable advice mentioned above, you can also create a platform that stands out in the crowded online space of content collection and sharing.