Photomath
A homework help app that solves math problems by scanning them with the camera.
- Scans stayed free
- Monetized something other than scans
- Over half of US high schoolers used it
- Capped the number of scans
- Killed its own core loop
- Sold for perhaps 10x less or lower
About a 100x outcome, then sold to Google
From Francesco Polizzi's estimate
What was said about Photomath
Photomath kept scans free and monetized something else, protecting its growth loop. Photomath went from asking for donations to tens of millions in revenue and then sold to Google. Francesco Polizzi estimates about a 100x outcome from monetizing something other than scans. A rival that capped the number of scans killed its own core loop and sold for perhaps 10x less or lower.
Over half of US high school students used Photomath. The source does not say what Photomath charged for. The tip is to put the paywall around things that do not touch how new users arrive and activate, as Discord did. Its loop was friends inviting friends, so it charged for file upload size and custom emojis, which do not stop anyone joining a server. The paid features must still be genuinely valuable to someone. In the source's words: "you don't want to disrupt that flow."
How Discord Completely Redesigned its Mobile Apps
It went from asking for donations to tens of millions in revenue, then sold to Google. Over half of US high school students used it, and by Francesco's estimate it reached about a 100x outcome by monetizing something other than scans.
Photomath kept scans free and monetized something else, protecting its growth loop. Photomath went from asking for donations to tens of millions in revenue and then sold to Google. Francesco Polizzi estimates about a 100x outcome from monetizing something other than scans. A rival that capped the number of scans killed its own core loop and sold for perhaps 10x less or lower.
Over half of US high school students used Photomath. The source does not say what Photomath charged for. The tip is to put the paywall around things that do not touch how new users arrive and activate, as Discord did. Its loop was friends inviting friends, so it charged for file upload size and custom emojis, which do not stop anyone joining a server. The paid features must still be genuinely valuable to someone. In the source's words: "you don't want to disrupt that flow."
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