Why Apple’s App Store Milestone Made Me Rethink Platform Power
When I read that developers have earned more than $550 billion through Apple’s App Store since 2008, my first reaction was not amazement at the number. It was curiosity about the system behind it. Very few businesses create that level of shared value over time. Even fewer do it by enabling others to grow rather than competing with them directly. That is what makes platforms so powerful. What This Milestone Really Represents The App Store did not become successful because of a single product or service. It succeeded because it created a dependable environment where developers could build, distribute, and monetize with confidence. Over time, that trust compounded. As Apple expanded its services, including entertainment, payments, and subscriptions, the ecosystem became deeper and more interconnected. Each new service reinforced the value of the platform rather than distracting from it. This kind of growth is intentional. It is not accidental. Why Platforms Change How I Think About ...