I have yet to see a strong business model around maps: Andreas Ekstrom

Swedish journalist Andreas Ekstrom has built a reputation as a futurist of the digital world, best known for calling out the various moral biases in search results of Google. Ekstrom says Google, Facebook and Amazon are unique as monopolies in the history of business because, with endless sums of money at their disposal, they can buy out any competition. Ekstrom shares his view on maps with ET Magazine:

Are there examples of successful homegrown competitors of Google?
Well, Google is not dominating search in Russia or in China. Facebook hasn’t been able to take the classifieds advertising space from Craigslist and many other local services.


You have often mentioned how Google, Amazon and Facebook have the ability to buy out any competitor. What could be a strategy for a competitor for surviving in such an environment?
It’s up to the owners of each company to make that decision. How will owners want to balance between business and political motives? Avoiding the open stock market may be a wise strategy, to keep closer control of the ownership.

What are your views on maps as a vertical? Google clearly sees it as something that complements its search functions.
I think local advertising may very well be developed in that field. Also, general data about behaviour patterns and how people move around can be incredibly useful for both business and city planning. But it needs strong efforts in business development. I still haven’t seen a really strong business model around this.