How Do I Get People To Share My App?

Introduction

Getting people to share your app might feel like trying to get lightning to strike twice - seemingly impossible and largely out of your control. We've been there ourselves, and after helping hundreds of apps achieve viral growth over the past eight years, we've learned that there's actually quite a bit you can do to encourage sharing.

The challenge isn't just about creating a great app anymore (though that's certainly important!). It's about understanding what motivates people to tell their friends about something they love, and then making it incredibly easy for them to do so. Think about the last time you enthusiastically recommended an app to a friend - what made you do it?

The best app marketing strategy isn't marketing at all - it's creating an experience so good that users can't help but share it

Why This Guide Matters

In today's crowded app marketplace, where millions of apps compete for attention, organic sharing isn't just a nice-to-have - it's essential for sustainable growth. The beauty of user-to-user sharing is that it's both more credible and more cost-effective than traditional marketing approaches.

Throughout this guide, we'll explore practical strategies that have worked for apps across different categories - from social networks to productivity tools. We'll look at the psychology behind sharing, examine successful case studies, and provide actionable steps you can implement right away. Whether you're launching a new app or looking to boost an existing one's growth, these insights will help you create a sharing strategy that feels natural to your users.

The Psychology of Sharing

Have you ever wondered why some things spread like wildfire across social media whilst others barely get a mention? As app developers who've worked with hundreds of clients, we've learned that understanding why people share is the foundation of creating a genuinely shareable app.

The Core Motivations Behind Sharing

Think about the last time you shared something with friends. Perhaps it was a funny meme about that popular TV show everyone's watching, or maybe a useful productivity hack that made your life easier. Whatever it was, your decision to share wasn't random - it was driven by fundamental human needs.

• Social validation: We share to feel connected and valued by our peers
• Identity expression: Sharing helps define who we are to others
• Altruism: We genuinely enjoy helping others discover useful things
• Entertainment value: If something makes us laugh or feel amazed, we want others to experience it too
• Social currency: Being the first to share something exciting makes us feel special

Turning Understanding into Action

The brilliant thing about understanding these motivations is that they're timeless - they existed long before smartphones and will continue long after. When we designed a meditation app for a client last year, we didn't just focus on the features; we created moments of achievement that users naturally wanted to share with friends who might be struggling with stress.

Remember, people don't share apps - they share experiences, achievements, and emotions. In the next chapter, we'll explore how to build these shareable moments into your app's core experience.

Make Your App Worth Talking About

Before we dive into clever sharing tactics and referral schemes, let's address the elephant in the room: Is your app genuinely worth talking about? Just like you wouldn't recommend a mediocre restaurant to your friends, users won't share an app that doesn't excite them.

The Core Experience Matters Most

Think about the last time you enthusiastically told someone about an app. Chances are, it solved a problem in a unique way or delivered an experience that genuinely surprised you. Whether it's Wordle's brilliant simplicity or Spotify's spot-on music recommendations, memorable apps excel at their core purpose first.

Creating a shareable app starts with identifying your app's "talk trigger" - that special something that makes users want to tell others. It could be an innovative feature, an exceptional user experience, or even just doing something simple incredibly well. For instance, when Calm introduced "sleep stories" narrated by celebrities, it gave users something specific and interesting to talk about with friends.

Polish Makes Perfect

Beyond core features, it's the little details that often spark conversation. Smooth animations, thoughtful micro-interactions, and clever copy can transform a good app into one that users love showing off. Remember how Duolingo's persistent owl became a social media sensation? That's the power of memorable details.

Focus on creating at least one standout feature or experience that users can't help but mention when describing your app to others. We call this your app's "signature move" - something that becomes synonymous with your brand.

Building Social Features That Matter

When it comes to social features in your app, less is often more. We've seen countless apps stuffed with every social bell and whistle imaginable, yet users barely touch them. It's a bit like throwing a party with too many activities – sometimes the simple act of chatting over tea works best.

Focus on Natural Interactions

The most effective social features mirror how people naturally interact in real life. Think about how you share experiences with friends – it's usually spontaneous, easy, and meaningful. Whether it's sharing a workout achievement or sending a funny photo, these interactions should feel natural within your app's context.

Keep It Relevant to Your Core Purpose

Remember that brilliant feature in Pokemon GO where players would naturally bump into each other at Pokestops? That's the kind of social integration we're talking about. It enhanced the core experience rather than feeling tacked on. Your social features should serve your app's main purpose while making the experience more enjoyable.

The key is to identify where social interactions make sense in your user's journey. If you've built a meditation app, perhaps users might want to share their streak of consecutive sessions or join group challenges. For a recipe app, maybe it's the ability to share modified versions of recipes with personal notes.

Above all, make sure your social features enhance rather than interrupt the user experience. They should feel like a natural extension of what your users are already doing, not an obligation or distraction. Sometimes, the simplest share button in the right place can be more powerful than an entire social network built into your app.

Creating Memorable Moments

Think about the last time you enthusiastically told friends about an app. Chances are, it wasn't because of its elegant code or smooth navigation (though these are important). Instead, it was probably because of a specific moment that made you think, "Wow, I need to share this!"

The most shareable apps don't just solve problems - they create moments of genuine delight that users can't help but talk about.

The Magic of Micro-Moments

We've found that memorable moments often come from unexpected little touches. Think of how Duolingo celebrates learning streaks with quirky animations, or how Headspace guides you through anxious moments with gentle encouragement. These aren't just features; they're emotional touchpoints that users remember and share.

Crafting Your Special Sauce

Creating these moments doesn't require a massive budget. It's about understanding your users' journey and adding thoughtful surprises along the way. Perhaps it's a clever loading message that makes people smile, or a congratulatory notification that arrives at just the right time. At Glance, we've seen simple touches, like personalised milestone celebrations or witty error messages, become talking points that users love to screenshot and share.

Remember, these moments should feel natural, not forced. They should enhance your app's core purpose while adding a layer of personality that makes the experience uniquely yours. Whether it's through humour, empathy, or unexpected helpfulness, these are the moments that transform your app from a tool into a talking point.

Running Smart Referral Programmes

Let's face it - we all love a good recommendation from a friend. There's something incredibly powerful about hearing "You've got to try this!" from someone you trust. That's precisely why referral programmes can be such a brilliant way to grow your app's user base.

But here's the thing: throwing together a basic "invite friends, get rewards" scheme isn't enough anymore. Today's users are savvy and have seen it all before. The key is crafting a referral programme that feels genuine and offers real value to both parties.

Essential Elements of Successful Referral Programmes

• Clear value proposition for both referrer and referee
• Simple, straightforward process that takes seconds
• Rewards that make sense for your app's context
• Transparent tracking system so users can see their progress
• Personal touch in referral messages

Remember Dropbox's legendary referral programme? They offered extra storage space - something their users genuinely wanted - rather than generic rewards. It was brilliant because it aligned perfectly with their service and felt natural rather than forced.

When designing your referral programme, think about what truly matters to your users. If you're running a fitness app, perhaps offering premium workout plans makes more sense than a generic discount. For a meditation app, extended access to premium sessions might be the perfect incentive.

The most successful programmes we've seen make sharing feel like doing a favour for a friend rather than promoting an app. That's the sweet spot you should aim for - where sharing becomes a natural extension of the user experience rather than a forced marketing exercise.

Making Sharing Dead Simple

If there's one thing we've learned from building hundreds of apps over the years, it's that users are rather like cats - they'll only do something if it's incredibly easy and worth their while. When it comes to sharing your app, every extra tap, swipe, or moment of confusion is another reason for users to abandon the process altogether.

The Three-Second Rule

Think about ordering takeaway - if it takes more than a few seconds to figure out how to place your order, you might give up and reach for a pot noodle instead. The same principle applies to sharing. Users should be able to share your app within three seconds, much like how quickly we decide whether to keep watching a TikTok video or scroll past it.

Strategic Placement Matters

Just as you wouldn't hide the chocolate biscuits at the back of the cupboard, don't bury your sharing options deep within your app's settings. Place sharing buttons where they make the most sense - right after a user has achieved something noteworthy or discovered something interesting.

• Position share buttons in natural locations
• Pre-populate sharing messages with engaging content
• Offer multiple sharing options (WhatsApp, SMS, email)
• Keep the sharing flow under three taps
• Test the sharing process with real users

Always include a preview of what the share will look like before users send it. Nothing puts people off more than sharing something that looks different from what they expected!

Remember, the easier you make it to share, the more likely users are to actually do it. It's rather like making tea - nobody wants to faff about with complicated instructions when they're parched; they just want their cuppa!

Using Social Proof to Your Advantage

We've all been there - standing outside two restaurants, one empty and one bustling with happy diners. Which one do you choose? Most likely the busy one. That's social proof in action, and it works just as powerfully for mobile apps.

Showcase Real User Love

The beauty of social proof is that it lets your users do the talking for you. Think about how reassuring it feels when you see that others are enjoying an app before you download it. That's why featuring authentic user testimonials, ratings, and reviews in your app store listing and marketing materials can make such a difference.

But here's the clever bit - social proof isn't just about star ratings. Consider highlighting user-generated content, like screenshots of people using your app or sharing their achievements. If you've got a fitness app, for instance, showing real users' transformation stories can be incredibly powerful.

Numbers Tell Stories

Remember when WhatsApp used to display how many billion messages were sent through their platform? That's social proof at scale. While you might not have billions of users (yet!), sharing meaningful statistics about your app's impact can be just as compelling. Whether it's "50,000 happy users" or "1 million tasks completed", these numbers help potential users feel confident they're joining something worthwhile.

The key is authenticity - users can spot manufactured social proof from a mile away. Focus on building genuine connections and encouraging natural advocacy. After all, the most powerful recommendation will always be a friend telling another friend, "You've got to try this app!"

Engaging Your Early Adopters

Your early adopters are worth their weight in gold. These passionate users who discover your app in its early stages aren't just customers – they're potential ambassadors who can help shape your app's future and spread the word about what makes it special.

Building Meaningful Relationships

Think of your early adopters as your app's extended family. These are the people who believed in your vision before it became mainstream, much like those friends who supported your garage band before you made it big. They deserve special attention and care.

Early adopters don't just want to use your app - they want to be part of your app's journey. Give them that opportunity, and they'll become your most powerful advocates.

At Glance, we've found that successful apps often create exclusive beta testing groups or insider communities where early adopters can preview new features, provide feedback, and feel valued. It's like having a VIP club where members get special privileges and direct access to your team.

Making Them Feel Special

Consider offering early adopters exclusive perks, whether that's lifetime access to premium features, special badges, or even naming rights for certain elements within your app. We've seen fantastic results when apps create 'founding member' programmes that recognise their first 1,000 users with permanent benefits.

Remember to actively seek their input through regular surveys, feedback sessions, or even virtual coffee chats. When users feel heard and see their suggestions implemented, they develop a sense of ownership that naturally encourages them to share your app with others. After all, people love to recommend things they helped create.

Turning Users Into Brand Champions

Creating loyal users is one thing, but transforming them into passionate advocates for your app? That's where the real magic happens. Like that friend who won't stop raving about their favourite Netflix series, brand champions naturally spread the word about products they love.

At Glance, we've seen how the most successful apps don't just satisfy their users - they delight them to the point where sharing becomes second nature. Think about how Wordle turned millions of casual players into evangelists, with those distinctive green and yellow squares popping up everywhere on social media.

What Makes a Brand Champion?

Brand champions aren't born - they're nurtured through exceptional experiences and genuine connection with your app. They're the users who feel personally invested in your app's success, much like how early Spotify users proudly shared their discover weekly playlists before it became mainstream.

• Give users a sense of ownership through personalisation options
• Recognise and reward their loyalty meaningfully
• Create exclusive communities or "insider" programmes
• Listen to and implement their feedback
• Share their success stories and user-generated content

Remember, brand champions aren't just your most active users - they're your app's storytellers. When you spot users consistently engaging with your app and sharing their experiences, nurture these relationships. A simple thank you message or early access to new features can turn enthusiasm into lasting advocacy.

The key is authenticity - users can spot forced advocacy a mile away. Focus on creating genuine experiences worth sharing, and your champions will naturally emerge.

Conclusion

Getting people to share your app isn't about deploying clever marketing tricks or following a rigid formula. It's about creating something truly valuable and making it incredibly easy for users to spread the word. Throughout this guide, we've explored various strategies that successful apps use to encourage sharing, but they all boil down to one fundamental truth: people share things that make their lives better.

Remember how Instagram became a household name? It wasn't through aggressive marketing - it was because people genuinely loved using beautiful filters to make their everyday photos look extraordinary. They wanted their friends to experience that same joy of transformation.

As you work on your app's sharing strategy, focus first on delivering genuine value to your users. Build features that solve real problems or bring authentic delight. Then, make sharing as natural as sending a text message to a friend. Your referral programmes should feel like you're doing users a favour, not the other way around.

Most importantly, never underestimate the power of your early adopters. These passionate users are like proud parents - if you give them something worth bragging about, they'll tell everyone they know. Nurture these relationships, listen to feedback, and make your users feel like they're part of something special.

Creating a widely-shared app takes time, patience, and genuine care for your users' experience. But when you get it right - when you create something that truly enriches people's lives - sharing becomes inevitable. Your users become your most powerful marketing force, not because you've cleverly manipulated them, but because they genuinely want others to benefit from what you've built.