Studying products is part of building them

Founders often spend most of their thinking time on their own product. The features. The customers. The metrics. The next decision.

But some of the most valuable thinking happens when you look closely at other people’s products. How they’re structured. What they did well. What they got wrong. Why certain things worked and others didn’t.

Studying real products is a kind of training. Each one is a worked example. The patterns become visible across many examples in a way they can’t when you’re only looking at your own work. Founders who do this regularly develop sharper judgement about what to build, what to leave out, and what to expect when they try certain moves themselves.

What you’re actually looking for

Useful product study isn’t about admirati...

Why looking at real products matters