App Marketing by App Masters

In this solo episode, Steve P. Young, Founder of App Masters, breaks down the newest and most effective app monetization strategies working right now and some key insights he presented at AppsFlyer’s MAMA San Francisco 2026.With competition increasing across the App Store and Google Play, monetization is no longer just about adding a paywall; it’s about designing the right pricing strategy, structuring trials intelligently, and optimizing every step of the user journey.Steve will share real examples from top-grossing apps and explain how leading subscription apps are increasing revenue without increasing downloads.This session is perfect for founders, product managers, and growth teams looking to improve conversions and maximize subscriber lifetime value.You’ll Learn:✅ How top apps structure paywalls to increase conversions✅ The smartest way to use trial-to-discount and paid intro offers✅ How to recover lost revenue with winback and triggered discount strategies✅ Pricing psychology tactics that increase ARPU without hurting conversionLearn More:Subscribe to the newsletter and get free access to the App Growth Playbook:https://appmasters.com/appgrowth-playbook/ You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/m-1TYFoA2sU*********************************************SPONSORSStill 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*********************************************Thinking about your next great app? This is the best time to make it! Contact Chaim at b7dev.com and get your idea started! Delivery times are super short; you'll be surprised by the cost to develop! B7dev.com*********************************************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/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

They argue distribution matters more than features and explain channel market fit as the top priority. ASO and keyword research for organic growth are covered. Apple Search Ads as a launch tactic and social ad funnels with web-first flows are discussed. Strategies include charging early, viral content testing on TikTok, and a controversial lifetime-free promotion to spike downloads.

In this episode, we are again joined by Michael Gants, founder and CEO of Encore, a new SDK helping subscription app developers turn churned users into paying subscribers.Michael is a Stanford grad, a Time Magazine “Leader of Tomorrow”, and a seasoned founder with a passion for building sustainable consumer businesses. Michael breaks down how leading apps use lifecycle experimentation, not just acquisition, but to retain and to winback. We’ll go deep into A/B testing across the user journey, smart winback strategies, and the systems top teams use to improve retention, conversions, and subscriber value without relying on more installs.If you’re building or scaling a subscription app, this session will help you think beyond surface-level experiments and focus on what actually moves revenue.You will discover:✅ What lifecycle experiments every subscription app should be running✅ How to structure A/B tests beyond onboarding and paywalls✅ Proven winback strategies that actually bring subscribers back✅ How smart layers and options increase subscriber conversionLearn More:Explore Encorehttps://encorekit.com/You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/x-JmAZbnD9M⁠⁠*********************************************SPONSORSStill 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*********************************************Thinking about your next great app? This is the best time to make it! Contact Chaim at b7dev.com and get your idea started! Delivery times are super short; you'll be surprised by the cost to develop! B7dev.com*********************************************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/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

Want to increase your organic downloads without spending money on ads? In this video, I break down our proven app store optimization (ASO) framework for 2026. Whether you are an indie developer or managing a big brand, these strategies will help you rank higher on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.We cover the exact steps we use at App Masters to help clients find success, from keyword research to conversion rate optimization.In this ASO tutorial, you will learn:✅ The most important ASO ranking factors in 2026✅ How to find low-competition keywords that still drive revenue✅ The do's and dont's of selecting keywords✅ Some Real Case Studies:- $1,600 in revenue in the first 22 days from organic search- $3,000/month purely from long-tail ASO strategy- 90+ #1 keyword rankings using low-traffic terms🔗 Resources:✅ ASO Mobile (keyword research tool): http://bit.ly/49y6rEP✅ Work with us: https://appmasters.com✅ Join our App Founders community: https://appfounders.coJoin us LIVE on YouTube every Friday at 9am PST!You can also watch this video here: https://youtu.be/ytAKZDh5eHU⁠⁠*********************************************SPONSORSStill 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*********************************************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/*********************************************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/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

Chaim Sajnovsky, founder of B7 Dev and AI-assisted app development specialist, explains how AI slashes build time and cost while shifting the battle to planning and distribution. He breaks down agentic workflows, vibe coding, prompt strategies, and how to catch bad AI code. Practical tips on modular builds, multi-LLM stacks, and which AI features actually move retention and monetization.

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 UISteve 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 laterIf you’re building:📸 An AI photo or video app📱 A consumer subscription app🚀 Or trying to monetize without massive ad spendThis case study will change how you think about positioning, ASO, and monetization.📄 Get the full app flow & screenshots (free):👉 https://appmasters-co.kit.com/6c95612d01You can also watch this video here: ⁠⁠https://youtu.be/VXzHlt_rldQ*********************************************SPONSORSGot 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/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

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 marketsLearn 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*********************************************SPONSORSGot 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/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

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 distributionKey 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.comJoin the App Founders Community: https://appfounders.coApp Masters (growth strategies & breakdowns): https://appmasters.comIf 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*********************************************SPONSORSGot 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/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

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 experimentsLearn 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/rUiISNtS3ssGet training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/*********************************************SPONSORSGot 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/YouTube⁠Instagram: ⁠@App MastersTwitter: ⁠@App MastersTikTok: ⁠@stevepyoung⁠Facebook: ⁠App Masters⁠*********************************************

A 10-year-old notepad app pulls in $20K/month with a retro interface. The conversation digs into why distribution beats fancy design and how ASO drives top-three rankings. Pricing tricks, ad strategies, and a $15/year model get attention. An AI tool demo shows how to spin up a Notion-syncing notes app fast.