DistributionEmerging Pattern

Avoid building core functionality on third-party APIs that competitors can revoke

Q: How many founders have validated "avoid building core functionality on third-party apis that competitors can revoke"?

1 founder has proven this pattern works. Examples include Tayoou (ElemSprite).

Building on another platform's API creates existential risk. The platform owner can cut access when they acquire a competitor or build their own version. Meerkat was killed twice this way.

When to use

When designing product architecture that depends on social media APIs or other third-party platforms for core functionality

Don't do this

Building your core product loop on APIs from platforms that could view you as competition

1 Founder Who Did This

ElemSpriteby Tayoou

Built a Shopify customization tool that solved a gap in Shopify's own functionality, which Shopify then filled with a native AI feature

Result:Six months of work evaporated instantly when Shopify shipped the feature natively and for free

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