Yelp has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google, accusing the company of using its search engine monopoly to promote its own local search services and reviews over competitors. The lawsuit claims that Google's practices have diminished Yelp's visibility and revenue by keeping users within Google's ecosystem.

New technology companies often set ambitious goals, which are essential for attracting talent, securing funding, and establishing high expectations. However, achieving these lofty ambitions requires a focus on more specific, lower-level use cases. Many startups aim to become platforms for broad concepts like the Internet of Things, AI analytics, or mobile testing. The essence of being a platform lies in accommodating a wide range of use cases, as increased usage translates to greater value. It is crucial to differentiate between vision and strategy. Vision represents the ultimate goal and the future state a company aspires to achieve, while strategy outlines the path to reach that goal. Relying solely on a broad vision can lead to indecision and confusion, as various stakeholders may have differing opinions on how to implement that vision. For instance, if a company claims it will be the platform for the Internet of Things, it may struggle to prioritize which opinions to follow regarding its direction. Instead, focusing on a specific market within the broader vision can provide clarity. For example, narrowing down to home automation and a particular use case, such as controlling home temperature, allows for more straightforward decision-making regarding user experience. While it may seem limiting to concentrate on a narrow use case, it is essential for building a successful business. The recommendation is not to abandon the overarching vision but to develop a strategy centered on addressing concrete use cases to facilitate growth. Yelp serves as a pertinent example of this approach. Initially, Yelp focused on restaurant reviews in San Francisco, a specific market and use case, despite its broader ambition of becoming a platform for all service recommendations. The choice to start with restaurants was strategic, as dining is a frequent need for people, unlike less regular services like plumbing or haircuts. By addressing a specific pain point effectively, Yelp was able to establish its value proposition and later expand into other service areas. When developing a platform, it is vital to maintain a balance between addressing specific use cases and keeping the larger vision in mind. A platform must excel at solving each use case it supports to encourage user adoption. Demonstrating clear value in a specific area lays the groundwork for tackling adjacent use cases. This method of scaling ensures that the solution effectively addresses real problems rather than merely adhering to an abstract vision. When a company claims its platform can be used for "pretty much anything," it often signals a lack of focus. In contrast, by excelling in specific use cases, companies can identify which aspects of their platform are most valuable and build upon them. This approach ultimately leads to the development of a versatile platform capable of serving a wide array of needs, as exemplified by Amazon's initial focus on selling books online.