Scribd was called "the YouTube for documents", allowing anyone to self-publish on

the site using its document reader.[13] The document reader turns PDFs, Word
documents, and PowerPoints into Web documents that can be shared on any website
that allows embeds.[16] In its first year, Scribd grew rapidly to 23.5 million
visitors as of November 2008.[17] It also ranked as one of the top 20 social media
sites according to Comscore.[17]

In June 2009, Scribd launched the Scribd Store, enabling writers to easily upload
and sell digital copies of their work online.[18] That same month, the site
partnered with Simon & Schuster to sell e-books on Scribd.[19] The deal made
digital editions of 5,000 titles available for purchase on Scribd, including books
from bestselling authors like Stephen King, Dan Brown, and Mary Higgins Clark.[20]