The end of the network effect

The end of the network effect

From Another Podcast by Benedict Evans, Toni Cowan-Brown

February 28, 2026 · 26 min · Season 1 · Episode 23

About this episode

The episode discusses OpenAI's challenges regarding user engagement and the lack of a network effect in its technology.

OpenAI has some big questions. It doesn’t have unique tech. It has a big user base, but with limited engagement and stickiness and no network effect. The incumbents have matched the tech and are leveraging their product and distribution. And a lot of the value and leverage will come from new experiences that haven’t been invented yet, and it can’t invent all of those itself. What’s the plan?

People in this episode

Hosts: Benedict Evans, Toni Cowan-Brown

Topics covered

  • network effect
  • OpenAI
  • technology
  • user engagement
  • product distribution

Keywords

  • OpenAI
  • network effect
  • user base
  • technology
  • engagement

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: OpenAI

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