Bob Goodson, President and Founder of Quid and co-author of 'Like: The Button That Changed the World,' dives into the revolutionary impact of the like button on digital interaction. He discusses its evolution from a simple feature to a vital tool for data collection and customer behavior analysis. The conversation touches on the power of the 'like graph' in shaping recommendation systems and the strategic advantages it provides to businesses. Goodson shares insights on how data analytics transform supply chains and the importance of engaging user interfaces.
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Origin of the Like Button
The like button originated at Yelp in May 2005 as a quick-react feature named "send a compliment".
It was designed with buttons for "useful," "funny," and "cool" but the thumb and "like" word appeared in initial sketches.
insights INSIGHT
The Like Graph and Attention Graph
The like graph captures connections between users based on shared likes, a powerful second wave after the social graph.
The attention graph, tracking what users consume, is the third wave exemplified by TikTok's algorithm.
insights INSIGHT
Psychology Behind Liking
The like button taps into human dopamine responses via anticipation and reward when giving or receiving likes.
It also aligns with humans' social learning and mild hierarchy cravings, making it a currency of social interaction.
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In this book, David Epstein examines the success of generalists in various fields, including sports, arts, music, invention, forecasting, and science. He argues that generalists, who often find their path late and juggle multiple interests, are more creative, agile, and able to make connections that specialists cannot. Epstein uses stories and research studies to show that wide sampling and late specialization can be more valuable than early specialization, especially in complex and unpredictable environments. He also discusses the distinction between 'kind' and 'wicked' learning environments and the importance of balancing specialization with range for long-term success[2][4][5].
The like button has transformed how we interact online, becoming a cornerstone of digital engagement with over 7 billion clicks daily. What started as a simple user interface solution has evolved into a powerful data collection tool that companies use to understand customer preferences, predict trends, and build sophisticated recommendation systems. The data behind these interactions forms what experts call the 'like graph' - a valuable network of connections that might be one of your company's most underutilized assets.
Bob Goodson is President and Founder of Quid, a Silicon Valley–based company whose AI models are used by a third of the Fortune 50. Before starting Quid, he was the first employee at Yelp, where he played a role in the genesis of the like button and observed firsthand the rise of the social media industry. After Quid received an award in 2016 from the World Economic Forum for “Contributions to the Future of the Internet,” Bob served a two-year term on WEF’s Global Future Council for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics. While at Oxford University doing graduate research in language theory, Bob co-founded Oxford Entrepreneurs to connect scientists with business-minded students. Bob is co-author of a new book, Like: The Button That Changed the World, focussed on the origins of the ubiquitous Like Button in social media.
In the episode, Richie and Bob explore the origins of the like button, its impact on user interaction and business, the evolution of social media features, the significance of relational data, and the future of social networks in the age of AI, and much more.
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