How LingQ Scaled to Millions with Zero Ad Spend
App Marketing by App Masters
Intro
Steve P. Young opens the episode, previews Mark Kaufmann's appearance, and runs sponsor spots including Encore and Xsolla.
In this episode, discover the app marketing strategies that helped LingQ scale to millions of users with zero ad spend. We are joined by Mark Kaufmann, Co-Founder and CEO of LingQ, to reveal exactly how they built a product people love.
A former pro hockey player turned tech founder, Mark brings a unique perspective on performance, resilience, and building products that scale. Together with his father, polyglot and YouTuber Steve Kaufmann, he built LingQ, a product-led app that teaches languages through real-world immersion.
Mark will share how a small, mission-driven team grew LingQ into one of the most recognized language apps without relying on massive ad budgets, just product innovation, community, and data-driven growth.
You will discover:
✅ The product-led growth strategy behind LingQ’s global success
✅ How to scale organically by focusing on community and retention
✅ Building for long-term engagement: what keeps users coming back daily
✅ Why founder-led storytelling still matters in 2026’s crowded app market
Learn More:
🌐 Explore LingQ: https://www.lingq.com
You can also watch this video here: https://youtube.com/live/NSyW0hxytrU
👥 Want to Join the App Founders Community?
Get mentorship, accountability, and insider growth tactics from real app founders →
Want expert guidance to grow your app?
Book a quick call with App Masters:
https://appmasters.com/contact-us/
Get training, coaching, and community: https://appmasters.com/academy/
*********************************************
SPONSORS
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/
*********************************************
Launch a high-performing branded Web Shop in minutes—or build a fully custom storefront without the hassle.
Xsolla’s modular solution reduces platform fees, supports 1,000+ global payment methods, and ships with built-in LiveOps and customization tools—so every purchase puts more revenue back in your studio’s pocket.
Check out now: https://tinyurl.com/43hda5tf
*********************************************
Follow us:
YouTube: AppMasters.com/YouTube
Instagram: @App Masters
Twitter: @App Masters
TikTok: @stevepyoung
Facebook: App Masters
*********************************************
The AI-powered Podcast Player
