[berberous]

Yes, but check out Bitmoji. [0] I don't know anyone that uses Bitstrips, but everyone I know uses Bitmoji. And every week they have new ones promoting the latest movies, and it's honestly the main reason I know what movies and shows are out.

[0] https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=bitmoji

[nathanielc]

Yes, but scale is important too https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=bitmoji%2C%20bitstri...

[nly]

Because the Y-axis on Google Trends is so quantifiable?

[umanwizard]

https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=bitmoji%2C%20bitstri...

Based on your logic, since Bitmoji has over 1% the Google Trends presence of Snapchat, it is worth over 1% of Snapchat's valuation.

[umanwizard]

Everyone you know uses Bitmoji? Really? I haven't even heard of it until now. What sort of people do you know?

[AznHisoka]

Me neither. This is definitely not an Instagram. Not even remotely close.

[jsprogrammer]

Movie and show promoters apparently.

[narrowrail]

While somewhat humorous, I think you all are being a bit harsh. I'm as curmudgeonly as anyone else born in the '70s, but why begrudge a company whose age can be measured in weeks having a tremendous windfall?

It appears a young company launched with a great user experience, and great engagement metrics. They got a premium for that. The deal terms aren't public, but we know it was a mix of cash and equity (probably skewed toward equity).

Didn't the founder of SnapChat turn down a ~$15B+ offer? I think this company will be a major contender in social media.

[jsprogrammer]

I don't begrudge them. I don't even know them. I was answering the question that was asked.

Without deal terms or other public information, there's not much to talk about.

[brianwawok]

I used it for 2 days and deleted. No one I know uses it. Maybe hot with the tween crowd?

Instagram makes money because it shows ads. Are people going to buy Pepsi t-shirts for their Bitmoji and make Pepsi money? I don't see the path to money.

[morganvachon]

I noticed it was mostly people in my generation (mid 30s to mid 40s) who used Bitstrips during its flash in the Facebook pan a couple of years ago. As for Bitmoji, I've never seen that in use myself (in fact, never knew about it until this article) but then I don't text/chat that often outside of IRC and Hangouts.

[qq66]

Have you used Bitmoji? They have a ton of product placement and are likely making good revenue from it already.

[k-mcgrady]

>> "Instagram makes money because it shows ads. Are people going to buy Pepsi t-shirts for their Bitmoji and make Pepsi money? I don't see the path to money."

Why would Pepsi want you to pay to wear their ads on your character? They pay Bitmoji to create a shirt with 'Pepsi' on it, users wear it and send it to friends, and now they're sending your ad to eachother.

[covercash]

My mom and aunts all have Bitmoji's now. They're fun alternatives to standard text/emojis, especially if the characters actually look like you.

[samdoidge]

Adding Bitstrips to the trend for comparison: https://www.google.com/trends/explore#q=bitmoji%2C%20bitstri...