Do not index
Do not index
“OpenAI just killed my startup.”
This is a line you will be hearing a lot more in the next 1 year.
Why?
OpenAI just dropped their 4o image generator.
And just like that, dozens of AI image startups are fighting for their lives.
The best part is that not only the tech folks are excited. They’ve managed to get everyone interested in AI.
Videos are next.
So what happens to Revid? 🤔
The Bloodbath Begins 💀
Let's be honest - we all knew this was coming.
Every time OpenAI releases a new feature, a bunch of startups die overnight.
Pieter Levels' PhotoAI is directly in the crosshairs now.
Beautiful UI, great positioning, but... when the core tech becomes a commodity, what happens?
My Predictions
Here's what I think will happen:
- PhotoAI will take a hit
Their core value proposition just became available in ChatGPT. This doesn’t help in defensibility. Some losses are expected.
- SEO traffic won't change immediately
Since OpenAI doesn’t advertise specific use cases — SEO traffic will still come in. Only the tech-savvy X users will migrate to 4o quickly.
Here’s what Pieter says:
What happens to Revid?
I think the product is not irrelevant yet.
Revid has more complex workflows
We do more than just generate. We have native integrations to TikTok, Instagram, YouTube - things ChatGPT likely won't build.
Here’s the thing: For many users, ChatGPT's "good enough" beats specialized "slightly better." That’s the primary reason why a lot of startups will end.
ChatGPT is GENERALIST. It wants to be used by EVERYONE. That’s why it cannot give a perfectly suited experience for specific professionals.
That’s your opportunity.
The Survival Strategy 🛡️
Here's my playbook for surviving in the Age of OpenAI:
1. Go Deeper, Not Wider
Pick a niche and build features OpenAI won't bother with.
2. Ask: "Could OpenAI build this directly?"
If the answer is yes, you're in danger. Build something they CAN'T or WON'T.
3. Stay in Motion
Keep building. Keep shipping. Don't freeze.
4. Solve less but completely
Create workflows that are too complicated for the common people but your narrow target audience will love
A Simple framework for building
Here's a simple framework I use:
Watch what people DO, not what they SAY.
Example:
- See people generating Studio Ghibli art on Twitter?
- Build a simplified workflow JUST for Ghibli-style generation
- Make it easier than the general-purpose tool
(but don’t do this, 100 people are working on it already)
This framework works for everything:
- Uber = taxi but simpler
- DoorDash = food delivery but simpler
- Taplio = LinkedIn but simpler
The bottom line
The moats are evaporating. Fast.
But there's always room for tools that do specific things better than the giants.
My bet? Revid survives because we're building deeper, not wider.
We're creating a workflow, not just a feature.
But we never know what Sam and co have in store for us — so I’ll keep building and diversifying.
Your turn
Look at your product:
- What are users ACTUALLY doing with it?
- What specific workflow can you simplify?
- What integrations would OpenAI never build?
Build there. Build now.
Hit reply and let me know - has OpenAI's 4o affected your business yet? 👇🏻
Keep building 💻
Tibo
P.S. The best time to diversify your product was a 26 months ago. The second best time is today.
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