It's a little misleading really isn't it?

Uber isn't a taxi company. facebook isn't a content company (whatever a content company might be).
Airbnb isn't an accommodation provider. I don't know the business model of alibaba but I would guess it's a similar case.

All of those "companies" are actually just providing low cost tools (billing, supply-demand matching, order, umbrella payments, etc) for individuals or small companies.

It is only worth the observation that a new type of business model (or even a new implentation of franchising) is being made possible by the Internet.

Posted By: Steve in Holland, Mar 23, 18:57:19