The theoretical literature on platforms and network effects predicts that initial growth of a platform depends on the market’s expectations of future installed base. This paper tests this claim, reporting on a field experiment in which invitations to join a newly launched platform were sent to...

The theoretical literature on platforms and network effects predicts that the initial growth and takeoff of a platform crucially depends on the market's expectations of the future installed base. This paper tests this claim, reporting on a field experiment in which invitations to join a newly...