YC
Matt Cutts on the US Digital Service and Working at Google for 17 Years
@ Y Combinator
12/04/19
Takeaways
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
In 2000, Google was a startup with a small team, and I remember working late nights and weekends, which was the culture back then.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
When I started at Google, projects were assigned informally, often based on conversations during social events, like skiing trips.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
At the time, the success of Google felt completely uncertain, especially during the dot-com crash when many thought we wouldn't survive.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
The early days of Google involved a lot of experimentation with advertising strategies, including self-service ads, which were initially a prototype.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
I remember a significant moment when we realized the potential of self-service advertising after a lobster company became one of our first AdWords advertisers.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
The 'evil unicorn' problem refers to the challenge of providing quality search results for fringe topics, like Flat Earth, where legitimate information is scarce.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
Lawsuits in the early days of Google established important legal precedents, such as the protection of search results under the First Amendment.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
During my time at Google, I found that many people in SEO were not trying to manipulate the system but were genuinely trying to improve their businesses.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
After 17 years at Google, I joined the U.S. Digital Service to apply my tech skills in government and help improve public services.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
The U.S. Digital Service was created in response to the failures of healthcare.gov, aiming to bring best practices from the tech industry into government. It operates like a SWAT team, stepping in to help when government systems go down, such as databases that are not functioning properly.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
We conduct discovery sprints to identify the real problems in government systems, which can lead to months or even years of engagement to improve services like immigration and veterans' benefits.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
Many people who work in government after a stint in the private sector find it hard to return to industry because they feel fulfilled by making a positive impact on people's lives.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
The U.S. Digital Service is focused on helping government agencies improve their technology and processes, often leading to the creation of civic tech startups and consultancies.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
We have a diverse team at the U.S. Digital Service, including engineers, designers, product managers, and procurement experts, all working together to improve government services.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
The hiring process at the U.S. Digital Service is streamlined, with a focus on technical skills and emotional intelligence, ensuring we hire people who can contribute positively to our mission.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
Educating government officials about technology is crucial, as many lack the necessary IT expertise, which can hinder effective decision-making.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
Government technology often feels outdated, and there's a pressing need for technologists to help modernize systems and processes.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
The U.S. Digital Service is working to improve data authenticity and security, especially in light of advancements in technology like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs).
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
Smart tech professionals should engage in local government meetings and consider running for office to bring their expertise into the political arena.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
High-performing startups should adopt human-centered design principles, as the government has made strides in this area that can benefit the private sector.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
When building products, it's crucial to understand user pain points through direct interaction, as this can lead to better design and user experience.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
Don't underestimate the importance of goodwill; it can significantly impact your bottom line, as seen when Facebook's market cap dropped by $129 billion after Zuckerberg's congressional testimony.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
Design is not just about aesthetics; it's about creating a user-friendly experience that ensures users can navigate and interact with your product easily.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
The first few users you talk to can provide the most valuable insights for product development, but even later feedback from a larger group can still enhance your product.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
It's important to avoid hardcoding specific technologies in policy, as this can lead to obsolescence; instead, focus on the underlying principles that can adapt over time.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
People often feel a lack of purpose in their work, especially in tech, and many are looking for more meaningful contributions, such as those found in government service.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
If you're interested in contributing to government service, there are many opportunities available, including short tours that allow you to apply your skills without long-term commitment.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
In government service, the focus should be on improving user interactions to regain trust in government, as two-thirds of trust is driven by these interactions.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
The U.S. Digital Service focuses on bridging gaps between different government departments to improve service delivery and user experience.
MC
Matt Cutts
12/04/19
@ Y Combinator
Having a backdoor in encryption represents a vulnerability that can be exploited by bad actors, which is why I do not support it.