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Will Facebook buy iLike?
June 20th, 2007
What is the end game for apps that work? That is a burning question in the minds of potential Facebook Platform entrepreneurs and investors. Say I’m able to establish a leadership role in a meaningful space. Will Facebook compete? If so, what can I do to stop them from killing me? Will Facebook buy? If so, what can I do to stop them from threatening to compete and buy me cheaply?
Example: is Facebook going to just give up on the music space? I’m not so sure. If Facebook were to make an application acquisition, I bet the first would be iLike. iLike has established a dominant lead in the Facebook music category, which may be the best space to monetize where Facebook does not already compete. iLike has been working with Facebook since before the Platform’s launch, and Facebook has its nose in everyone’s business. Most iLike users are users of iLike’s Facebook app only, so Facebook would have leverage on price.
I don’t think an app acquisition would happen within the next couple months. But if iLike is able to prove that it owns music on Facebook, it may be able to hold out for a sweeter deal.
Technorati Tags: facebook, ilike, buy, acquisition
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June 20th, 2007 at 6:17 am
Well, according to this interview:
http://venturebeat.com/2007/05/29/qa-with-ilikes-ali-partovi-on-facebook/
Facebook and iLike were not really working together before the Platform launch, just that iLike tried unsuccessfully to partner with Facebook, and that iLike actually began their Facebook app development later than other third-party developers.
June 20th, 2007 at 9:32 am
Rveguilla: That’s possible. It’s also possible that iLike is saying what Facebook wants them to say while having discussions behind the scenes. Does Microsoft treat all application developers equally?