Why Discord CEO Jason Citron is Confident: Gaming and Group Chats as the Future of the Internet

Today, I had the opportunity to speak with Jason Citron, the co-founder and CEO of Discord, a voice and chat app that initially gained popularity among gamers but has since expanded to become much more than that. Discord has become a hub for online communities, particularly among young users who are immersed in gaming culture, fandoms, and niche interests. It has become a significant part of internet culture, offering a unique interface for online communication.

Discord differs from traditional social platforms like Facebook and Instagram. It is not a public-facing network or a broadcast medium for creators like YouTube or TikTok. Instead, it is a place where friends can talk and hang out with each other based on shared interests. It provides a more intimate and private space for users to connect.

During our conversation, Jason discussed how Discord fits into the landscape of other platforms and the choices he has made about the future of online communication. He explained how Discord focuses on smaller, more intimate spaces and prioritizes user control over their own spaces. He also discussed the tension between Discord as a voice chat tool and as a social destination that mixes public and private interactions.

We also talked about Discord’s business model and revenue streams. Unlike Slack, Discord does not target enterprise software. Instead, it offers a consumer subscription service called Nitro and explores other ways of making money, such as advertisements. Jason also mentioned the company’s decision not to sell to Microsoft and the changes Discord went through during the pandemic, including layoffs and a refocusing effort on the gaming community and developer partnerships.

Content moderation was another topic we addressed. Jason emphasized the company’s commitment to keeping teens safe and providing users with tools to moderate their own spaces. Discord faces unique content moderation challenges due to its young user base, and Jason discussed his testimony in front of Congress on child safety as well as the company’s trade-offs regarding encryption and user safety.

Throughout the conversation, Jason provided insights into Discord’s vision for the future of online communication. He believes that private group chats built around shared interests and activities will gain significance, offering a more intimate and cozy online experience compared to the broadcast nature of other social media platforms.

In terms of Discord’s structure and decision-making process, Jason explained how the company is organized functionally to ensure a coherent experience for users. They have dedicated teams for foundational initiatives and core priorities. There is also a small team focused on exploring innovative ideas.

We concluded with a discussion about the challenges of taking risks and making decisions in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Jason emphasized the importance of continually serving customers well and keeping their interests at the forefront of decision-making processes.

Overall, my conversation with Jason Citron shed light on the unique position of Discord in the online communication landscape and its focus on creating intimate spaces for users to connect based on shared interests. It highlighted the company’s commitment to user safety and the challenges it faces in content moderation. Additionally, it provided insights into Discord’s business model and the company’s vision for the future.



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