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Your idea for an AI-powered platform to help students enroll in online universities falls into a category with very limited market activity. This suggests the problem you're solving may be quite niche, or perhaps not perceived as a major pain point by potential users. With only one similar product identified, our confidence in this assessment is low. The lack of comments on the similar product indicates low engagement, meaning people aren't actively discussing or seeking out solutions like yours. Before investing heavily, it's crucial to validate whether a real demand exists for this type of service. You'll need to take proactive steps to understand if potential users see value in your proposed solution and are willing to adopt it.

Recommendations

1. Start by engaging with your target audience. Post in online communities, forums, or social media groups where prospective online university students gather. Clearly articulate the problem you're aiming to solve and gauge their interest in an AI-powered solution for university enrollment. This will provide initial qualitative feedback on whether your value proposition resonates with them.
2. Offer a manual version of your AI-powered service to a small group of potential customers. For example, you could personally assist 2-3 individuals with their online university application process, providing personalized recommendations and guidance. This hands-on approach will allow you to understand their pain points firsthand and refine your solution accordingly.
3. Create a concise and compelling explainer video showcasing the benefits of your AI-driven platform. Highlight how it simplifies the online university enrollment process, saves time, and provides personalized recommendations. Track the video's completion rate to assess viewer engagement and interest. If people aren't watching, you need to rework the value prop.
4. Gauge commitment by asking for a small, refundable deposit to join a waiting list for your platform. This tactic helps quantify interest and identify potential early adopters who are willing to invest in your solution. It's a more concrete signal than simply expressing interest in a survey or poll.
5. Set a timeline for validation. If you can't find at least five genuinely interested individuals (those willing to put down a deposit or actively participate in your manual service offering) within a three-week period, it's time to reconsider the viability of your idea or pivot to address a different aspect of the online university enrollment process.

Questions

1. Given the low engagement observed in similar products, what specific strategies will you employ to create a highly engaging and interactive experience for users on your platform?
2. Considering that the need for such a product might not be obvious for users, what kind of initial content, landing pages and/or marketing hooks do you need to test to communicate the value proposition and make the users realize that this is something they need?
3. What are the biggest hurdles students face when enrolling in online universities, and how can AI specifically address those pain points in a way that justifies the adoption of a new platform?