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Re: Big News! Udemy + Coursera Combination Complete
Hi @ZaneVella,
Thank you for sharing this update. A combination of this scale is significant news, and I appreciate the communication.
That said, I want to be honest about a concern that the announcement leaves unaddressed.
You state that "the open marketplace isn't going anywhere" and that it "remains a core part of the platform". I take that at face value. But notably absent from the announcement is any commitment to what that actually means in practice:
- visibility?
- algorithmic prioritization?
- investment in discoverability for independent instructor content?
Coursera operates on a fundamentally different model with institutional partnerships, curated credentials, structured pathways. As the two platforms integrate, the natural center of gravity will shift toward that model.
Saying the marketplace "remains" is not the same as saying it will receive the same attention, resources, or surface area it used to be.
What independent instructors need to hear is not just that the marketplace won't disappear, but that there is a concrete plan to ensure our content remains discoverable and competitive within the combined platform. Without that clarity, reassurances feel more like transition messaging than a genuine commitment.
Best regards,
Matthieu
Re: Testing Starter Plan: New Ad-Supported Consumer Subscription (limited rollout)
What is Starter Plan?
Starter Plan offers professional and lifestyle courses in an ad-supported format. With this plan, learners will have access to:
- Top-rated business, creative, and lifestyle courses
- Guided learning from the AI Assistant
- Quizzes and assignments to reinforce learning
Access: Learners can subscribe to Starter Plan on a monthly or annual basis and enjoy unlimited access to the included courses. If they wish to explore even more content, they will have the option to upgrade to Personal Plan at any time, for access to a broader selection of courses.
Please note: Starter Plan is not available to all learners at this time.