marketplaces

Former Airbnb PM Jonathan Golden outlines a clear framework to evaluate marketplace viability. By mapping products by transaction size and frequency, he shows how to predict and improve unit economics through incentives and pricing. Excellent reference for marketplace builders.

Saurabh Nair outlines the fundamentals of marketplace businesses, emphasizing the value of enabling transactions between buyers and sellers. He describes monetization strategies such as commissions, listing fees, and value-added services. A solid primer for operators and analysts entering the platform economy.

Erik Torenberg explores the dynamics of building and investing in marketplaces. He breaks down core concepts like liquidity, trust & safety, and take rates. The piece includes practical advice for founders on achieving product-market fit in multi-sided networks. Valuable for startup teams and early-stage investors.

This article presents the first level of the Hierarchy of Marketplaces framework, focusing on creating user happiness and scalable engagement. Tavel draws on real examples to show how leading marketplaces like Etsy and Airbnb progressed through each level. Useful for marketplace builders aiming for long-term defensibility.

This post by A16Z outlines the most important KPIs for two-sided marketplaces. Metrics include match rate, take rate, market depth, and concentration of supply. It offers a rigorous diagnostic toolkit for founders, investors, and operators looking to assess or pitch marketplace startups.