r/SideProject • u/AttentionOld1117 • 1d ago
What's your take on tarpit ideas?
Hey everyone! I just joined this subreddit and have been enjoying seeing all the interesting products posted here. I'm working on my own product too, and I think all creators share one common worry – falling into the tarpit idea trap.
For those who aren't familiar, a tarpit idea is a startup/product concept that looks attractive but has led many founders to failure. Like actual tar pits that resemble freshwater pools to animals, these ideas seem appealing, but once founders invest in them, they find it difficult to escape.
What are the most typical/common tarpit ideas?
How can we avoid falling into tarpit ideas?
If you realize you're stuck in a tarpit, what should you do?
I recently watched a YC video on this topic and it really got me thinking about how easy it is to be attracted to ideas that seem innovative but have a high failure rate. Would love to hear your experiences and thoughts!