What Counts as a User? The Changing Nature of Network Effects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53748/jbms.v6i2.176Keywords:
agents, authenticity, automated participationAbstract
The traditional understanding of network effects should be reconsidered as automated participation (e.g., bots, AI agents) becomes increasingly common in digital platforms. Using recent developments in automated web traffic as context, the paper argues that platform operators should look beyond user growth and engagement metrics and place greater emphasis on authentic participation and user trust.
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