Gatemerking

Gatemerking refers to the practice of using a specific product, service, or technology to gain access to another product, service, or technology. This term is often used in the context of software development and technology ecosystems, where a company may require users to adopt a particular platform or tool to access additional features or services. For example, a software development platform might require users to use its integrated development environment (IDE) to access certain APIs or services.

Gatemerking can be beneficial for companies as it encourages users to adopt their products and can create a more integrated and seamless user experience. However, it can also be seen as a form of vendor lock-in, where users become dependent on a particular product or service and are discouraged from using alternatives. This can lead to a lack of competition and innovation in the market.

The term "gatemerking" was coined by industry analyst Mary Meeker in a 2013 presentation. It has since been used to describe various instances of this practice in the technology industry. Examples include Apple's use of its iOS operating system to control access to its App Store, and Microsoft's use of its Windows operating system to control access to its Office suite of productivity tools.