Most AI photo apps try to do everything, and end up blending in.

In this video, Steve P. Young breaks down how Photo Revive AI scaled to over $500K/month by doing the opposite: niching down first, then expanding later.

Instead of launching as “another AI image generator,” this app positioned itself around photo restoration and revival and used smart ASO, onboarding, and paywall strategies to win in a brutally competitive market.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why niching down beats competing in red-hot AI categories

✅ How Photo Revive AI generates ~$500K/month (verified across multiple tools)

✅ The exact onboarding and paywall flow driving conversions

✅ How credit-based pricing controls AI costs and boosts revenue

✅ Why distribution matters more than features or UI

Steve walks through:

• Real revenue estimates from Sensor Tower, AppFigures, and AppMagic

• The full user journey from install → upgrade

• Paywall tactics most founders overlook

• How to start a niche, win early traction, and expand later

If you’re building:

📸 An AI photo or video app

📱 A consumer subscription app

🚀 Or trying to monetize without massive ad spend

This case study will change how you think about positioning, ASO, and monetization.

📄 Get the full app flow & screenshots (free):

👉 https://appmasters-co.kit.com/6c95612d01

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/VXzHlt_rldQ

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SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

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Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

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If you’re advertising your growing mobile app, you need a measurement partner you can actually rely on — and that’s where AppsFlyer comes in.

It gives you a clear view of your entire funnel — from the first impression all the way to the install, in-app events, and user LTV. You’ll know what’s driving real results, and what’s just noise.

What teams love about it? It’s stable, accurate, and built to handle everything the mobile world throws at you — privacy changes, creative optimization, you name it.

And when you need help? Their global support team is there 24/7 — not just to fix things, but to help you grow.

If you’re ready to level up your mobile marketing and make smarter decisions, check out AppsFlyer.com

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Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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In this episode, we’re joined by Ben Moore, U.S. Managing Director of BeReal, one of the most culturally relevant social apps of the past decade.

With 41M+ monthly active users worldwide, BeReal became App of the Year 2022 by doing what most social platforms wouldn’t: going against algorithms, filters, and AI-driven content.

With a background leading growth and monetization at TikTok, Walmart Connect, and global media networks, Ben brings a rare inside perspective on what actually drives product-market fit, retention, and cultural relevance in consumer apps.

If you’re building a consumer app and struggling with retention, differentiation, or product-market fit, this conversation will challenge conventional growth advice and give you a clearer playbook for what actually works in 2026 and beyond.

You will discover:

✅ How BeReal scaled to 41M MAU by removing algorithms instead of optimizing for them

✅ Creator-led growth in 2026 and beyond

✅ Lessons from BeReal’s journey: from viral hype → durable, loyal product

✅ Practical lessons app founders can apply to build durable growth in saturated markets

Learn More:

🌐 BeReal → https://bereal.com

🔗 Connect with Ben Moore → https://www.linkedin.com/in/bjacobmoore/

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/live/EOaBZvcvbg8

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SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

*********************************************

Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

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If you’re advertising your growing mobile app, you need a measurement partner you can actually rely on — and that’s where AppsFlyer comes in.

It gives you a clear view of your entire funnel — from the first impression all the way to the install, in-app events, and user LTV. You’ll know what’s driving real results, and what’s just noise.

What teams love about it? It’s stable, accurate, and built to handle everything the mobile world throws at you — privacy changes, creative optimization, you name it.

And when you need help? Their global support team is there 24/7 — not just to fix things, but to help you grow.

If you’re ready to level up your mobile marketing and make smarter decisions, check out AppsFlyer.com

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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AppAdvice has officially shut down — so what does that mean for Apps Gone Free campaigns and lifetime free promos?

In this video, Steve breaks down what really happened, why Apple is paying closer attention to these campaigns, and whether Apps Gone Free strategies still work in 2026.

He'll share real data, real case studies, and hard-earned lessons from running these campaigns for years, including what triggered Apple’s crackdown, what mistakes to avoid, and how app founders can still use promotions to kickstart downloads without risking app rejection or review removals.

If you’re struggling with app discoverability, ASO, or early traction, this video will help you understand the dos and don’ts of Apps Gone Free campaigns in today’s crowded App Store.

You’ll learn:

✅ Why AppAdvice shut down and what it means for app marketing

✅ Real case studies showing 2,000–6,000 downloads in days (post-AppAdvice)

✅How Apps Gone Free campaigns can still boost ASO and organic installs

✅ The right and wrong way to ask for App Store reviews

✅ How Indie App Santa fits into the future of app distribution

Key takeaway:

Apps Gone Free campaigns aren’t dead, but the rules have changed. If you run them the wrong way, you risk Apple intervention. If you run them the right way, they can still be one of the fastest ways to jumpstart app growth.

🔗 Resources & Links:

Indie App Santa (Apps Gone Free alternative): https://indieappsanta.com

Join the App Founders Community: https://appfounders.co

App Masters (growth strategies & breakdowns): https://appmasters.com

If you’re an indie developer, SaaS founder, or app marketer trying to crack distribution in 2026, make sure to subscribe to real-world growth strategies that actually work, not theory.

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/CFLZZ023Cac

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SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

*********************************************

Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

*********************************************

If you’re advertising your growing mobile app, you need a measurement partner you can actually rely on — and that’s where AppsFlyer comes in.

It gives you a clear view of your entire funnel — from the first impression all the way to the install, in-app events, and user LTV. You’ll know what’s driving real results, and what’s just noise.

What teams love about it? It’s stable, accurate, and built to handle everything the mobile world throws at you — privacy changes, creative optimization, you name it.

And when you need help? Their global support team is there 24/7 — not just to fix things, but to help you grow.

If you’re ready to level up your mobile marketing and make smarter decisions, check out AppsFlyer.com

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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In this episode, we’re joined by Liubomyr Pivtorak, Chief Product Officer at Hily, one of the world’s fastest-growing dating apps with over 40 million users worldwide.

Liubomyr has spent the last 10 years in B2C mobile, including 8 years in the hyper-competitive dating industry, leading products that scaled to 10M+ and 30M+ users globally.

He’ll take us behind the scenes of how Hily grew in a red ocean market, competing against giants like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble — by running 100+ in-app experiments every quarter and obsessing over data, user behavior, and retention.

You will discover:

✅ The experiment-driven framework that powers Hily’s growth (100+ experiments every quarter)

✅ How to grow in a red ocean market like dating apps

✅ What actually worked vs what failed — real growth experiment stories

✅ The data-driven mindset behind scaling from millions to tens of millions of users

✅ How to compete with giants like Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder using smarter experiments

Learn More:

Try Hily → https://hily.com

Connect with Liubomyr → https://www.linkedin.com/in/liubomyrp/

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/live/rUiISNtS3ss

Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/

*********************************************

SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

*********************************************

Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

*********************************************

Most app founders overcomplicate things. This Notepad app? It makes $20,000/month with a design straight out of 2013. 😳

In this video, Steve P. Young breaks down why simple apps still win — and how distribution, not design, is the ultimate growth engine.

Steve will also show you how he vibe-coded his note-taking app.

💡 You’ll discover:

✅ How this 10-year-old Notes app ranks #2 for “notes” organically

✅ The $15/year pricing model that quietly drives consistent revenue

✅ Why distribution > features (and how to fix your ASO)

✅ The AI tool that lets you build your own Notepad-style app in minutes

Whether you’re an indie developer or startup founder, this breakdown will help you rethink how to build — and actually profit from — your next app.

🚀 Build your own app easily with AI: https://app.emergent.sh/?via=hitanshu

📈 Need help with distribution? https://appmasters.com

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/RclmkJ3atFs

Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/

*********************************************

SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

*********************************************

Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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In this episode, we’re joined by one of our community members, John McEvoy, founder of Momego, the worldwide transit tracking app with over 5.2 million installs and 400,000 daily active users, built entirely by one person.

John started as a graphic designer and taught himself to code. Today, his app generates $30K in monthly recurring revenue, powered by localized ASO, clever ASA, and great features.

He’ll share his exact frameworks for growth, from keyword localisation to subscription retention, all based on real results from running a successful utility app in a competitive market.

You will discover:

✅ How localised ASO helped Momego reach 5M+ installs

✅ The Apple Search Ads strategy John uses to scale profitably

✅ How to test app icons, pricing, and onboarding flows that convert

✅ Why reverse trials outperform free trials for mobile apps

✅ The features that keep users paying (widgets + live activities)

Learn More:

🚊 Try Momego → https://apps.apple.com/app/momego-live-bus-train-times/id1281251210

🔗 Connect with John → https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbairdmcevoy

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/live/jN6e9sSyaoo

Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/

*********************************************

SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

*********************************************

Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

*********************************************

If you’re building your first app — watch this before you write another line of code.

In this video, Steve P. Young reveals:

✅ The #1 mistake app founders make when building their first app

✅ The simplest MVP formula that actually drives revenue — not downloads

✅ Why distribution matters more than features

✅ How to build your Minimum Viable Revenue (MVR), not just an MVP

✅ Real-world examples of indie apps making $3K–$200K/month doing one thing really well

Whether you're a developer or entrepreneur, this is your roadmap to launching an app that makes money from day one — without wasting $30K on the wrong features.

🚀 Apply to work with Steve’s team: https://appmastersmvp.lovable.app/

👨‍💻 Learn how to build your MVP + go-to-market strategy from App Masters’ in-house portfolio experts.

Migraine Buddy: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/migraine-buddy-track-headache/id975074413

Remote for Firestick & Fire TV: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/remote-for-firestick-fire-tv/id1467189269

The Shortcut to Scale: The Distribution First Mindset: https://youtu.be/Dxk4TIvRa30

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/YwiXQp2CKNM

Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/

*********************************************

SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

*********************************************

Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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Discover the app marketing strategies that actually work in 2026, from ASO and paid acquisition to creative testing and retention hacks that are driving real ROI today.

In this session, Steve P. Young, Founder of App Masters, shares what’s working right now across hundreds of apps — including:

✅ 2026’s best-performing ad channels (Meta, TikTok, CTV & more)

✅ How to combine ASO + paid for explosive growth

✅ AI tools and automation that are changing mobile marketing

✅ The new rules for creative testing and user retention

Whether you’re an indie developer or running a large app studio, this episode will give you the exact strategies, frameworks, and case studies to scale your app downloads and revenue this year.

Learn More:

Join the App Founder’s Community:

https://appfounders.co/

Use Code: NEWYEAR26 to avail 26% off on annual plans

You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtube.com/live/KlYqVGudZpM

Want expert guidance to grow your app?

Book a quick call with App Masters:

https://appmasters.com/contact-us/

Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/

*********************************************

SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

*********************************************

Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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Before App Masters became a leading app marketing agency, I built a LOT of businesses that went absolutely nowhere. 😅

In this video, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing all the failed businesses, side projects, and lessons that paved the way for App Masters. If you’re struggling with your app, startup, or any business, this is for you.

You’ll see how:

✅ Every “failure” teaches you the next step.

✅ How I went from $0 side hustles to running a 30+ person global team.

✅ Why distribution (not features) was the ultimate game changer.

✅ The exact moment I quit my job and went all-in on App Masters.

Whether you’re an indie app founder, marketer, or dreamer trying to make it work, keep going. You’ll figure it out, too. 💪

You can also watch this video here: ⁠https://youtu.be/acJF7kqtx2Y

👥 Want to Join the App Founders Community?

Get mentorship, accountability, and insider growth tactics from real app founders →

👉 https://appfounders.co

Want expert guidance to grow your app?

Book a quick call with App Masters:

https://appmasters.com/contact-us/

Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/

*********************************************

SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

*********************************************

Still designing, resizing, and uploading screenshots manually?

AppScreens lets you pick from hundreds of high-converting templates, generate for every device size and language in minutes, and upload automatically to directly to App Store Connect and Google Play Console.

Trusted by more than 100K developers and ASO experts worldwide.

Try it free: https://appscreens.com/?via=am

*********************************************

Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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In this episode, discover the app marketing strategies that helped LingQ scale to millions of users with zero ad spend. We are joined by Mark Kaufmann, Co-Founder and CEO of LingQ, to reveal exactly how they built a product people love.

A former pro hockey player turned tech founder, Mark brings a unique perspective on performance, resilience, and building products that scale. Together with his father, polyglot and YouTuber Steve Kaufmann, he built LingQ, a product-led app that teaches languages through real-world immersion.

Mark will share how a small, mission-driven team grew LingQ into one of the most recognized language apps without relying on massive ad budgets, just product innovation, community, and data-driven growth.

You will discover:

✅ The product-led growth strategy behind LingQ’s global success

✅ How to scale organically by focusing on community and retention

✅ Building for long-term engagement: what keeps users coming back daily

✅ Why founder-led storytelling still matters in 2026’s crowded app market

Learn More:

🌐 Explore LingQ: https://www.lingq.com

You can also watch this video here: ⁠https://youtube.com/live/NSyW0hxytrU

👥 Want to Join the App Founders Community?

Get mentorship, accountability, and insider growth tactics from real app founders →

👉 https://appfounders.co

Want expert guidance to grow your app?

Book a quick call with App Masters:

https://appmasters.com/contact-us/

Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/

*********************************************

SPONSORS

Got tons of freemium users who won’t upgrade? Encore turns free users into paying customers and reduces churn by adding smart, curated affiliate offers at key user moments. Everyone wins with Encore.

Learn more at https://encorekit.com/

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Launch a high-performing branded Web Shop in minutes—or build a fully custom storefront without the hassle.

Xsolla’s modular solution reduces platform fees, supports 1,000+ global payment methods, and ships with built-in LiveOps and customization tools—so every purchase puts more revenue back in your studio’s pocket.

Check out now: https://tinyurl.com/43hda5tf

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Follow us:

YouTube: ⁠AppMasters.com/YouTube⁠
Instagram: ⁠@App Masters
Twitter: ⁠@App Masters
TikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠
Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠

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