A moat is a permanent feature protecting a castle against attack. That’s the met...

alephnerd · 2025-12-11T15:28:53 1765466933

That is not how we use the term "moat" in this context, because competitors eventually converge on offerings within 1-2 years.

I don't need some stuck up HNer telling me about stuff I deal with in my day-to-day job.

Edit: can't reply

> a business deal that can be transferred to a new partner the second it expires is much more temporary

Generally, these kinds of equity deals include an MFN clause.

afavour · 2025-12-11T15:43:37 1765467817

> That is not how we use the term "moat" in this context, because competitors eventually converge on offerings within 1-2 years.

Then I guess we need a new term because that's not how I interpret the term moat either. To me, ChatGPT chat history is a moat. It allows them to differentiate their product and competitors cannot copy it. If someone switches to a new AI service they will have to build their chat history from scratch.

By comparison a business deal that can be transferred to a new partner the second it expires is much more temporary.

jklinger410 · 2025-12-11T16:10:00 1765469400

> To me, ChatGPT chat history is a moat.

Every service has a chat history. You are talking about stickiness, which is (roughly) the same for every product.

ChatGPT wins a bit with stickiness because their AI personalizes itself to you over time, in a way that others don't quite do.

A moat is something unique. It can't really be a moat if all services offer it.