The future of SaaS and startups

Alright, let's break down Rob Walling's predictions for 2025 like we're chatting over coffee, not reading a dry report. He's been around the software and investment block for ages, so he's seen a thing or two.

First up, remember how we used to Google everything and click on links? Well, that's changing. Imagine asking a smart friend a question and they just give you the answer, no need to dig through a bunch of websites. That's what AI search is doing. Rob thinks this will mean a 15% (or more!) drop in people actually clicking on those search results. Basically, your blog might not get as much love from Google anymore. It's not that SEO is dead, but it's definitely going to need a makeover.

Speaking of Google, they might be in for a bit of a shock. If people aren't clicking on links, they're not seeing as many ads, right? That's Google's bread and butter. Rob predicts their ad revenue could take a serious hit. Think about it, if we're all chatting with AI for answers, where are the ads going to go? Google's gonna have to figure that out fast.

Now, about this whole "AI" buzzword... it's getting a bit old, isn't it? Remember when everyone was talking about "Web 3.0" and "Blockchain" like they were magic words? Well, "AI" is heading that way. As AI becomes just another feature in our apps, we'll probably start calling it something more specific. Think "smart features" or "automated tools" instead of just throwing around "AI" like it's a catch-all.

For those of you building businesses on other people's platforms, like app stores or social media, things might get a bit bumpy. Imagine you're running a food truck, and suddenly the city changes all the rules about where you can park. That's kind of what it's like. If you rely too much on one platform, and they change their algorithms or policies, you could be in trouble. Rob's saying it's time to spread your eggs into different baskets.

Finally, those AI chat buddies like ChatGPT and Claude? They're going to start showing ads. Right now, they're just trying to get everyone hooked. But soon, they'll need to make money. Think of it like when Google and Facebook first started showing ads – it'll be a whole new world for advertising. We'll have to learn how to advertise in these chat interfaces.

So, what's the takeaway? 2025 is going to be a wild ride. AI is shaking things up, and if you want your business to survive, you've got to be ready to adapt. That means rethinking your SEO, diversifying your income, and keeping an eye on how ads are changing. It's going to be a challenge, but also a chance to find new and exciting ways to connect with people.