The App Growth Strategy Behind LightX’s 50M+ Installs

13 snips

Aug 9, 2025

In this discussion, Sharad Shankar, Founder of AndOr Communications and the mind behind LightX, shares insights from his journey to achieving over 50 million installs. He reveals how LightX transitioned from a paid app to a successful subscription model and delves into effective marketing strategies like ASO, ads, and SEO. Sharad emphasizes the importance of user-first product design and details his experience leading a 60+ member team. He also discusses innovative user engagement techniques and the role of cultural sensitivities in marketing.

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INSIGHT

Use Cheap Android Scale To Seed Growth

Cheap Android installs can seed press, SEO, and organic growth on more expensive platforms.
Use low-cost Android scale to create momentum and reduce expensive iOS acquisition spend.

ANECDOTE

Pivoted iOS From Paid To Subscription

When upfront paid purchases slowed on iOS, Sharad switched the iPhone app to a free download with premium subscription.
He invested ad spend on Android while organic and SEO momentum grew iOS users.

INSIGHT

Web + SEO Drives App Discovery

Build a mobile web product and invest in SEO to capture intent-driven searches for features like background removal.
Use web traffic to convert users into app installs and to monetize via web and API channels.

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In this episode, we’re joined by Sharad Shankar, Founder of AndOr Communications Pvt Ltd, the team behind the viral AI photo editing app LightX, which has surpassed 50M installs on Android and 8M+ on iOS.

Originally launched as a paid app, LightX transitioned to a subscription model in 2019 and has since evolved into a powerful, AI-driven platform for image generation and editing.

An alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, Sharad’s career spans roles in mobile engineering and building high-impact, user-focused products. In this conversation, Sharad shares his full growth playbook — from ASO, paid ads, and SEO to Web2App conversion strategies and cracking the Google Play featured placement.

He also reveals how he led a team of 60+ to turn LightX into a breakout success. This episode is a must-watch for anyone building or scaling a mobile app in 2025 and beyond.

You will discover:

✅ How LightX went from a paid app to top-grossing AI subscription

✅ Mobile growth playbook: ASO, ads, SEO, Web2App & more

✅ The secret to getting featured on Google Play

✅ Building user-first products with a strong USP

✅ Managing & scaling a 60+ member team

Learn More:

Explore LightX:

Web Product: https://www.lightxeditor.com/

iOS App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/lightx-photo-editor-retouch/id1400740705

Android App Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lightx&hl=en_IN

Connect with Sharad:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharad-shankar-796b773/

https://andor.in/

Work with us: https://www.appmasters.com

Indie App Santa: https://www.indieappsanta.com

Get training, coaching, and community: ⁠https://appmastersacademy.com/

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