The restriction of allowing only .edu email signups on Facebook was initially put in place to limit the number of fake accounts. However, as Facebook grew and became more popular, it became clear that this restriction was limiting the platform's growth potential. By opening up signups to a wider audience, Facebook could attract more users and increase its user base. One of the main benefits of removing the .edu email restriction was that it allowed Facebook to expand its user base beyond college students. This led to a significant increase in the number of users joining the platform, which in turn attracted more advertisers and generated more revenue for the company. Additionally, by opening up signups to a wider audience, Facebook was able to better understand the needs and preferences of different user groups, which helped it to improve its product offerings and user experience. However, there were also several drawbacks to removing the .edu email restriction. One of the main concerns was that it would lead to an increase in fake accounts, which could negatively impact the user experience and the platform's credibility. Additionally, by opening up signups to a wider audience, Facebook had to deal with an increase in spam, phishing, and other types of malicious activities on the platform. Overall, the decision to remove the .edu email restriction was a strategic move by Facebook to increase its user base and attract more advertisers. While there were some drawbacks to this decision, the benefits ultimately outweighed the costs and helped to position Facebook as one of the leading social media platforms in the world.
Product Strategy (Mission Driven, Ecosystem Thinking)