About this episode
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. Trust
