[zackzackzack]

My problem with this type of thinking is that is too easy for Y to swoop in and take over X for you. They have the team, reputation, and recent success. You, most likely, have nothing.

Examples: "We are facebook for bicycles!": that's just a facebook group. "We are Heroku for PHP/Clojure/Python":http://blog.heroku.com/archives/2011/8/3/polyglot_platform/

These are my best examples, but if X is just a feature that Y could implement or acquire, then making that comparison could be a major mistake. If they expand into your niche, then your X of Y idea backfires on you hardcore.

Edit: I saw that my variables were reversed at some places.

[maxticket]

"If X is just a feature that Y could implement or acquire, then making that comparison could be a major mistake."

Very true. This could be the case whether or not you publicly call yourself "The X of Y." I've always though that most companies fall in that category, even if they don't know or outwardly admit it.

So basically, we're all in danger no matter what.

[bradhe]

> but if X is just a feature that Y could implement or acquire

Unless, of course, the feature that Y could acquire is yours and you crush it...then your position is pretty damn awesome (assuming you don't mind working for Y).