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Mark Zuckerberg

10/25/13

@ Y Combinator

Even if a university had built a social network, Facebook's ability to allow users to share more content and connect in meaningful ways would have set it apart and driven its success.

Video

Mark Zuckerberg at Startup School 2012

@ Y Combinator

Mark Zuckerberg at Startup School 2012

10/25/13

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Myspace could have survived if it had focused on the fundamental need for social connection rather than trying to copy Facebook.

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Facebook understood that the most important feature of a social network is having your friends there, which creates a tension between individual and network needs.

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Facebook's success was partly due to its high trust and real identity, which was established by starting in colleges where users felt safe sharing personal information.

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We chose to launch Facebook at schools with existing social networks to ensure our product was superior, which would justify the time and effort invested in its development.

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Facebook started as a service for Harvard students but expanded because almost everyone has friends and family they want to stay connected with.

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I initially built Facebook for myself as a college student, but I quickly realized its potential to serve a broader audience beyond just my university.

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I realized that Facebook was an unstoppable force in social networking, and that competing with them was a significant challenge.