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Behind the Craft

Inside Duolingo Unhinged Growth to a $500M Business | Cem Kansu (Duolingo)

Nov 3, 2024
Cem Kansu, the Head of Product at Duolingo, shares insights into the app's explosive growth, driving it to over 100 million active users and $500 million in revenue. He highlights Duolingo's unique 'unhinged' philosophy and how gamification transforms learning into a fun experience. Cem reveals the secret sauce of user retention, discusses innovative revenue strategies, and ponders whether AI will change the landscape of education. Tune in for a look at the playful yet strategic approach shaping the future of language learning!
41:41

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Duolingo's unique product culture and gamification techniques foster user engagement through humor, motivation, and a community-driven learning experience.
  • The integration of AI in Duolingo enhances content generation and interactive features, creating more personalized and engaging language learning opportunities.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Duo's Character

Duolingo initially designed its mascot, Duo, to serve as a motivational coach for users. Over time, Duo's character evolved into a more humorous and unhinged persona, reflecting user engagement and social media trends. This shift has led to intentional changes to Duo's appearance, like making its face appear 'melty' or sick, which users interpreted as a playful reminder to keep up with their lessons. This approach has fostered a unique connection with users, motivating them to return to the app when they feel Duo's humorous disapproval.

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