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The Acquisition of Yik Yak by Sidechat
In a move that has left many users bewildered, anonymous social platform Sidechat appears to have acquired its rival Yik Yak. While the acquisition itself is not entirely newsworthy, the manner in which it was carried out and the impact on users raises several questions.
A Brief History of Yik Yak
Those who may recall Yik Yak from earlier years will remember the platform’s tumultuous past. Bullying and harassment plagued the app, ultimately leading to an ignominious exit in the form of an acqui-hire by Square. However, after being relaunched under new Nashville-based ownership in 2021, promising improved moderation, Yik Yak seemed to have put its troubles behind it.
The Merger
The merger between Sidechat and Yik Yak appears to have occurred sometime last month, with users only recently receiving push notifications to migrate from the original Yik Yak app to the newly rebranded Sidechat. However, not all users have received this notification, leading to speculation that the migration is being selectively carried out on a regional basis, specifically targeting college campuses.
The Acquisition Process
What’s interesting about this M&A event is that both companies’ founders have attempted to remain anonymous throughout the process. This secrecy has led to mistrust among users, with many hesitant to provide their email addresses due to the lack of transparency regarding Sidechat’s values and intentions.
User Impact
The merger has had a significant impact on Yik Yak users, who are now forced to adapt to a new platform with unfamiliar features. This change has led to a mixed reaction from the user base, with some embracing the new format while others express disappointment at the loss of their original app’s character.
Comparison of Apps
In terms of popularity, Sidechat had slightly north of 180,000 lifetime installs, making it the smaller of the two apps. In contrast, Yik Yak boasted just over 1 million users before its relaunch in 2021. The merger makes sense given that both platforms share a similar purpose of connecting people anonymously.
Security Concerns
However, staying anonymous when asking others to trust your platform is an odd choice for these companies – and one that seems to be backfiring. Users are hesitant to provide their email addresses due to the lack of transparency regarding Sidechat’s values and intentions.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Yik Yak by Sidechat raises several questions about the motivations behind this move and the impact on users. While the merger may have made sense from a business perspective, it remains to be seen whether this will ultimately benefit or harm both platforms in the long run.
Stats Comparison
| App | Lifetime Installs | Highest Rank |
| — | — | — |
| Sidechat | 180,000 | No. 30 (U.S. Social Networking) |
| Yik Yak | Over 1 million | No. 1 (Overall U.S. App Store, briefly after relaunch in 2021) |
Note: The stats provided are approximate and based on the available data.
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