> Signal would have to be much better with features everyone (not just the tech-savvy) can appreciate to be able to outweigh Whatsapp's network effect.
Network effects work both ways, and they're only an insurmountable barrier if you preemtively surrender to them. They're also predominantly built of local components, which allows the change to start small by influencing those smaller groups.
For instance, if the tech-savvy switch to Signal and boycott WhatsApp, you'd have the nucleus of a network effect starting to work in Signal's favor. Some political constituencies would probably find Signal's non-profit organization specially appealing, and could also help form that nucleus.
Social behavior can also start help reenforce and accelerate a more general change. If WhatsApp is treated as unfashionable and dated, while Signal is treated as fashionable and new, some people will be more motivated to switch.
Everyone already uses multiple messaging apps (unless they stick to plain SMS). I doubt we will ever converge on one. However, success for Signal would be encouraging enough people to have it installed that it doesn't have any special friction associated with it.
I believe the term you're looking for is 'micronetwork'[0]. This is how Wickr gained use: a certain segment of the population found it very useful, even if it couldn't be used for all their friends.
Signal misses out on this by not offering anonymous user accounts, but otherwise they would have a very clear path to mass adoption.
Network effects work both ways, and they're only an insurmountable barrier if you preemtively surrender to them. They're also predominantly built of local components, which allows the change to start small by influencing those smaller groups.
For instance, if the tech-savvy switch to Signal and boycott WhatsApp, you'd have the nucleus of a network effect starting to work in Signal's favor. Some political constituencies would probably find Signal's non-profit organization specially appealing, and could also help form that nucleus.
Social behavior can also start help reenforce and accelerate a more general change. If WhatsApp is treated as unfashionable and dated, while Signal is treated as fashionable and new, some people will be more motivated to switch.
Everyone already uses multiple messaging apps (unless they stick to plain SMS). I doubt we will ever converge on one. However, success for Signal would be encouraging enough people to have it installed that it doesn't have any special friction associated with it.