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Hi app founders, designers, and marketers. |
Starting today, we’re sharing one quick design tip with you every Thursday. Simple, but powerful hacks to help you design better apps and climb the App Store charts, time and time again. |
Today’s tip is about daily streaks, inspired by our analysis of Opal, a screen-time app currently sitting at $600K MRR. |
A streak before you have earned one |
When you open Opal for the first time, the app shows you a streak. Day zero. |
You have done nothing yet, used nothing, earned nothing, and there is already a number on the screen asking you to keep it alive. |
Why would an app give you a streak before you even start using it? |
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It solves the cold start problem |
Most apps ask new users to care about something they have no reason to care about yet, wanting you to feel invested before you understand why you should. |
Opal flips that by handing you something to protect from the second you arrive. The reason to come back tomorrow exists before you even decide whether you like the app. |
By day two, you already have something to lose, and loss aversion does the rest. |
No, this isn’t new |
Look at Duolingo, and you’ll see how powerful this mechanic can be. Daily streaks helped turn the app into a cultural artifact. A thousand-day streak is a flex, and the fear of losing it is real. People protect it on vacation, while lying in hospitals, and even in the middle of parties. |
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So, here you have it. |
Tip number 1: Start with a day-zero streak onboarding and give people something they fear losing from the get-go. |
Would you test it on your app? Reply and let us know, we read every e-mail. |
Watch the full Opal breakdown: |
 | Opal: Gems, Streaks and Solving the Cold Start App Problem | App Breakdown #1 |
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See you next week, |
The App Store Tracker Team |
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