--- title: 4 Powerful Mobile App User Acquisition Techniques That Work description: Learn about four user acquisition techniques that actually work and the popular apps that used them to great success. image: https://web3growthassociation.com/hubfs/mobile-phone-1087845_640.jpg --- [![MGA Logo_Horizontal-Color-434px](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MGA%20Logo_Horizontal-Color-434px.png?width=217&height=26&name=MGA%20Logo_Horizontal-Color-434px.png "MGA Logo_Horizontal-Color-434px")](https://web3growthassociation.com/) Open Search Events [MGS 22 Las Vegas](https://events.bizzabo.com/358800) [Executive Connect](https://events.bizzabo.com/executiveconnect) [Women Of The Year Awards 2022](https://widgets.mobilegrowthassociation.com/events/mgs-22/page/2031094/women-of-the-year-awards) [See All Events](https://web3growthassociation.com/events) [APPLY TO SPEAK](https://web3growthassociation.com/speaker-application) APPLY TO SPONSOR Webinars & Webcasts [MGA Webinars](https://web3growthassociation.com/webinars) [APPLY TO SPEAK](https://web3growthassociation.com/speaker-application) APPLY TO SPONSOR Podcasts [Fintech Growth Talk](https://web3growthassociation.com/fintech) Channels [User Acquistion](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?ua) [Retention & Engagement](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?re) [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?ai) [Monetization](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?monetization) [LTV](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?ltv) [Mobile Gaming](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media?gaming) [See All Media](https://web3growthassociation.com/all-media) [SUBMIT ARTICLE IDEA](https://share.hsforms.com/1qyaCXBsCRHyus5ftkoqRXw34v9x?__hstc=17895014.67ed4e0440429f7fd858dbdaa6017f42.1596082292944.1610407079532.1610469949158.104&__hssc=17895014.1.1610469949158&__hsfp=555322576) [Industry Jobs](https://careers.mobilegrowthassociation.com) [Join Now](https://web3growthassociation.com/membership) Open Search Close Search [  Why Fintech Innovation Is Mobile Innovation](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/introducing-fintech-growth-talk-0) [Sector Spotlight: E-commerce in LATAM  ](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/sector-spotlight-e-commerce-in-latam) # 4 Powerful Mobile App User Acquisition Techniques That Work ![](https://web3growthassociation.com/hubfs/mobile-phone-1087845_640.jpg) [Emily Carroll](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/author/emily-carroll) Posted Nov 3, 2020 [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%204%20Powerful%20Mobile%20App%20User%20Acquisition%20Techniques%20That%20Work%20&body=Check%20out%20https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/4-powerful-mobile-app-user-acquisition-techniques-that-work&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%204%20Powerful%20Mobile%20App%20User%20Acquisition%20Techniques%20That%20Work%20&body=Check%20out%20https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/4-powerful-mobile-app-user-acquisition-techniques-that-work&utm_medium=social&utm_source=email) [User Acquisition](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/tag/user-acquisition) The average smartphone user downloads [only two apps](https://appsamurai.com/how-to-build-a-successful-app-user-acquisition-strategy/) each month, and attracting those users is getting harder and harder. When searching the Internet for a solution, there are hundreds of articles sharing mobile app user acquisition strategies. These common tips promise to boost downloads and increase revenue – but do they work? In this post, [Mobile Growth Association](https://www.mobilegrowthassociation.com/) discusses four real-world examples of how smartphone apps made it big by using popular acquisition channels. ## **App Store Optimization (ASO): Dark Sky Weather** Dark Sky Weather is an app that offers hyperlocal weather information. It provides its users with detailed forecasts, advanced maps, and custom alerts to stay informed. Sounds like your run of the mill weather app, right? Dark Sky Weather was able to differentiate itself by using App Store Optimization (ASO). When Dark Sky Weather was first created in March of 2020, its name was just "Dark Sky." After low user acquisition rates, the app updated its title to, “Dark Sky – Weather Radar, Hyperlocal Forecasts, and Storm Alerts.” Using the right keywords is critical to the success of a mobile app. As a result of ASO, Dark Sky Weather currently ranks as the #1 weather app on iTunes. ## **Paid Advertising: Hopper** Paid advertising will place an app in front of a newer, larger audience that has little awareness of the platform beforehand. Many popular paid advertising strategies include Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads. For example, Hopper – a mobile app that helps users book flights and hotels based on the best rates – saw a [67% higher rate](https://www.smartly.io/blog/stories-ads-facebook-tui-smartlyio) of app installs after utilizing paid advertising on Instagram. In addition, the travel booking app saw a 50% increase in flight searches for new users and an 80% increase in higher booking rates for new users. ## **Influencer Marketing: Headspace** It can be extremely hard to earn the attention and trust of a new audience, especially if your app is new to the market. Influencer marketing helps boost your reputation and brand recognition by partnering with a social media personality that already has an established relationship with your target users. In fact, [33% of mobile phone owners](https://www.businessofapps.com/data/app-statistics/) say they downloaded an app after it was recommended to them. Popular meditation app, Headspace, famously used influencer marketing with members of the fitness community to promote the platform. The app recently joined forces with the [NBA](https://www.headspace.com/nba) where players will share stories on social media about how they leverage the app. ## **Referral Program: Airbnb** A referral program typically involves offering users an incentive to share your app with their friends, family, or others in their personal network. Airbnb proved this popular acquisition strategy to be successful by conducting internal research of its users. The rental online marketplace company and app shared that customers acquired through its referral program were more likely to: - Schedule more reservations - Refer more people from their networks - Sign up to become hosts Moreover, Airbnb found that [25 to 55%](https://www.cloudsponge.com/blog/airbnb-referral-program/) of new user growth was produced through referrals. #### [![](https://web3growthassociation.com/hubfs/icon-calendar.svg) Upcoming Events](https://web3growthassociation.com/events) #### [![MGA Podcasts](https://web3growthassociation.com/hubfs/icon-podcasts.png) Podcasts](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts) ##### [![Simplifying Taxes for Freelancers](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image001-2.jpg?width=300&name=image001-2.jpg) Simplifying Taxes for Freelancers Posted Feb 15, 2022](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/simplifying-taxes-for-freelancers) ##### [![Unlocking the Potential of Financial Services with AI](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fintech-Growth-Talk---Kevin-Levitt.jpg?width=300&name=Fintech-Growth-Talk---Kevin-Levitt.jpg) Unlocking the Potential of Financial Services with AI Posted Dec 29, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/unlocking-the-potential-of-financial-services-with-ai) ##### [![AARP: The intersection of Health Tech and Fintech](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image001-1.jpg?width=300&name=image001-1.jpg) AARP: The intersection of Health Tech and Fintech Posted Dec 10, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/aarp-the-intersection-of-health-tech-and-fintech) ##### [![FinTech and mobile strategy insights from Google](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Cherlene-Jolly%20V2.jpg?width=300&name=Cherlene-Jolly%20V2.jpg) FinTech and mobile strategy insights from Google Posted Nov 27, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/fintech-and-mobile-strategy-insights-from-google) ##### [![Rebuilding the financial services ecosystem one API at a time](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fintech---Richie-Serna.jpg?width=300&name=Fintech---Richie-Serna.jpg) Rebuilding the financial services ecosystem one API at a time Posted Nov 10, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/rebuilding-the-financial-services-ecosystem-one-api-at-a-time) ### Recommended Articles #### [![Where the action and the money *really* is in mobile gaming apps](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Images/Podcast%20Images/All/NebojshaMitrikeski_mediaThumbnail-650x325.jpg?width=300&name=NebojshaMitrikeski_mediaThumbnail-650x325.jpg) Where the action and the money \*really\* is in ... Posted Sep 28, 2018](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/2018/09/28/where-the-action-and-the-money-really-is-in-mobile-gaming-apps) #### [![How Homesnap attracted 1 million real estate agents – and keeps them coming back](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Images/Podcast%20Images/All/TimCondon_mediaThumbnail-650x325.jpg?width=300&name=TimCondon_mediaThumbnail-650x325.jpg) How Homesnap attracted 1 million real estate ... Posted Nov 2, 2018](https://web3growthassociation.com/podcasts/2018/11/02/how-homesnap-attracted-1-million-real-estate-agents-and-keeps-them-coming-back) #### [![Five Tips: Developing Apps for Foldable Displays](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/mika-baumeister-vI8_06RmSC0-unsplash%20(1).jpg?width=300&name=mika-baumeister-vI8_06RmSC0-unsplash%20(1).jpg) Five Tips: Developing Apps for Foldable Displays Posted Apr 6, 2021](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/five-tips-developing-apps-for-foldable-displays) #### [![Keeping Up with ASO Updates Impacting App Store Optimization in 2019](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Linda_Harnisch-01-1.png?width=300&name=Linda_Harnisch-01-1.png) Keeping Up with ASO Updates Impacting App Store ... Mobile Gaming Posted Jul 3, 2019](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/2019/07/03/keeping-up-with-aso-updates-impacting-app-store-optimization-in-2019) #### [![Save more than money by automating your media portfolio](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Matt%20Sadofsky.jpg?width=300&name=Matt%20Sadofsky.jpg) Save more than money by automating your media ... Posted Dec 19, 2019](https://web3growthassociation.com/videos/save-more-than-money-by-automating-your-media-portfolio) #### [![How marketers can use keyboard apps to power effective UA and build brand](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Website%20Images/Video%20Images/Baidu-650x325.jpg?width=300&name=Baidu-650x325.jpg) How marketers can use keyboard apps to power ... Posted Apr 26, 2019](https://web3growthassociation.com/videos/2019/04/26/how-marketers-can-use-keyboard-apps-to-power-effective-ua-and-build-brand) ### Related Articles #### [How to Target Niche App Audiences](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/how-to-target-niche-app-audiences) #### [Learn How the Dallas Mavericks Use AR to Engage Fans](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/learn-how-the-dallas-mavericks-use-ar-to-engage-fans-off-the-court) #### [Implementing Automation for User Acquisition](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/implementing-automation-for-user-acquisition) #### [How to Use Rewarded Advertising to Improve User Engagement](https://web3growthassociation.com/blog/how-to-use-rewarded-advertising-to-improve-user-engagement) Join Our Newsletter Sign-up to get the latest mobile growth news, updates, and trends directly in your inbox twice a month. [![MGA Logo_Vertical-White-400px](https://web3growthassociation.com/hs-fs/hubfs/MGA%20Logo_Vertical-White-400px.png?width=200&height=100&name=MGA%20Logo_Vertical-White-400px.png "MGA Logo_Vertical-White-400px")](https://web3growthassociation.com/) - [Events](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/events) - [Media](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/all-media) - [Company](https://web3growthassociation.com/company) - [Become a Sponsor](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/sponsor-application) - [Apply to Speak](https://www.mobilegrowthsummit.com/speaker-application) - Subscribe to MGA Newsletter - [Advertise With Us](https://share.hsforms.com/1wSm-xNj1TZGNZ0YiR97aGA34v9x) - - - - - © 2020 MOBILE GROWTH ASSOCIATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Contact us at [info@mobilegrowthsummit.com](mailto:info@mobilegrowthsummit.com) [Privacy Policy](https://web3growthassociation.com/privacy-policy) [Terms & Conditions](https://web3growthassociation.com/terms-and-conditions) #### Become a Sponsor The MGS Annual Sponsor Rewards maximizes and drives growth for our Sponsors. We are rewarding our loyal Sponsors in our seventh year of business with a comprehensive range of additional benefits and services. Enter your contact information here and we'll email you a Sponsor Kit so you can drive deal-flow and bottom-line revenue for your company. #### Apply to Speak #### Join our newsletter Sign-up to get the latest mobile growth news, updates, and trends directly in your inbox twice a month.