👨‍💻Noteworthy Bits -- 1/16/23

Zapier: The $7B Netflix of Productivity from Sacra

While this research report on Zapier, one of the leading “no-code” integration tools, is from a few years back, it’s key points are still very relevant today.

“Zapier is an integration platform and marketplace that gives non-technical end-users the ability to use ‘triggers’ and ‘actions’ to connect SaaS applications that aren’t natively integrated.”

While Sacra provides an interesting perspective on Zapier’s product strategy, there is also a fascinating look a how Zapier has used search engine optimization as a highly effective distribution channel.

“By programmatically generating SEO-optimized landing pages for each new tool and integration on the platform, Zapier has built a growth machine that has scaled up to 6,000,000 unique pageviews every month, more than sites like Deadspin, Teen Vogue, Gothamist, Seventeen, Saveur or Cook's Illustrated.”

AI and the Big Five from Stratechery

Leading technology analyst, Ben Thompson, explores AI in the context of Clayton Christensen’s Innovator’s Dilemma and how it applies to Tech’s Big Five: Apple, Amazon, Meta (Facebook), Google, and Microsoft. Ben describes AI as a “new epoch in technology” so it’s important to understand how the big tech companies are approaching this particular sea change.

Did We Overeat on Software? from Future

Written for software companies, yet the core principles of this article are applicable to every company in order to ensure you are making the most of your software applications.

“One method of…unlocking your company’s full potential through technology, is to change the priorities of IT, security, and procurement — the teams that generally care about software operations. Instead of making them fix problems (e.g. resolving IT tickets), help them create infrastructure that empowers employees to operate software themselves and to become a self-governed workforce.