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by dirtae 4098 days ago
Has anyone ever actually paid $1 / year for WhatsApp? I know in several places they claim that is their business model, but I've never come across anyone that has paid for WhatsApp.

Part of that may be due to the fact that WhatsApp grows so fast that most users haven't been around for a year, but I'm under the impression that after a year, if you don't pay, the app continues to work and you never lose access.
1 comments
enahs-sf 4098 days ago
Jan Koum actually stated at Startup School that whatsapp started monetizing to REDUCE load because they were acquiring users too fast and that it backfired, ultimately leading to profitability. From a strategic standpoint, whatsapp puts facebook in a great mobile position in a lot of emerging markets outside the US.
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hnnewguy 4098 days ago
>that it backfired, ultimately leading to profitability.

On what planet can the act of becoming profitable be considered a "backfire"?

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