You’ve built an AI app. It's powerful. It works.
But no one’s using it.
That’s the hard truth for most AI founders today, especially solo builders. Just shipping your app isn’t enough anymore.
AI is booming. According to Statista, the global AI software market is expected to hit US$244.22 billion by 2025. That means competition is exploding. And if you don’t have a real strategy to get users for your AI app, you’ll get buried fast.
In this post, we’ll break down how to get users for your AI app
How to Get Users for Your AI App
User acquisition isn't a mystery. It's a process.
Test it, listen, and tweak it. And then repeat.
Below are strategies that actually work in 2025 for both early-stage indie devs and fast-moving AI teams.
Start With a Clear User Hypothesis
Most AI app creators build features. But winners build for real use cases.
Define who you’re building for and why they’ll use your app. AI alone isn’t a USP anymore; users care about outcomes. What friction are you removing? What manual task are you automating? What intelligence are you unlocking?
For example, instead of saying “AI-powered calendar assistant,” say “Helps busy founders cut 6+ hours/week of meeting management.”
Once you’ve nailed your value prop, test it with early adopters before you code. Tools like Anything let you build a functional AI app in minutes from just an idea so you can ship faster and validate sooner.
Use the “Zero-to-Traction” Stack
Here’s the 3-part system used by successful indie founders and AI solopreneurs:
1. Distribution-first launch
Don’t wait to launch your app on your own blog. Launch where your audience already hangs out:
- Product Hunt: Yes, launch on Product Hunt. But not as a one-off. Over 4 million monthly users; still the best for high-intent early adopters. Follow the proper launch guide and make a successful launch.
- Reddit: Subreddits like r/ArtificialIntelligence, r/SideProject, or niche threads like r/Notion for productivity AI tools.
- Twitter (X): Use demo threads, behind-the-scenes building-in-public, and AI-specific communities.
2. Nail onboarding
AI tools can be powerful, but if onboarding sucks, users churn fast. Your goal is to get users to the “aha moment” in under 2 minutes.
Add prebuilt prompts, sample inputs, or even AI-guided onboarding.
3. Convert user feedback into velocity
Users won’t tell you what to build, but their actions will.
Track:
- Drop-off points in the onboarding
- Most used features
- Abandoned flows
Growth Loops > One-Time Launches
Getting users for your AI app isn’t just about Day 1. You need systems that grow while you sleep.
Here are 3 proven growth loops:
- Content Loop: Users generate content that attracts new users (e.g., AI design tools that share outputs)
- Referral Loop: Incentivize sharing via invite codes, rewards, or exclusive access
- SEO Loop: Anything AI outputs that get indexed (like chat transcripts, generated documents, or public showcases)
According to HubSpot, organic content still drives web traffic in 2025. Don’t miss out on SEO if your AI app creates output that others might Google.
Retention Is the New Acquisition
Even if you get 10,000 signups, if they leave after Day 1, it’s a vanity metric.
Here’s what real AI app retention could look like:
- Day 1 Retention: 30-40%
- Week 1 Retention: 15-20%
- Week 4 Retention: 5-10%
How do you improve this:
- Add a human touch. (welcome emails, async onboarding videos)
- Use in-app nudges (like goal setting and progress bars)
- Remind users via value-driven emails (not just “come back” pings)
Conclusion
You Don’t Need 1M Users. Just the Right 100.
The AI space is maturing. The hype is fading. But the opportunity is bigger than ever for those who move smart.
Start by validating fast. Use a tool like Anything to go from idea to app in under a day. Focus on high-signal channels like Product Hunt. Build loops, not spikes. Listen to users. And remember: the best growth tactic is still a product that solves a real pain.
There’s no magic formula. But there is a method.
You’re just one smart launch away from your first 100 users.
