Quick answer
Your first 100 users usually come from direct, personal effort: people on your waitlist, communities where your target users already gather, your own network, short useful content, and one-to-one outreach. Make sure the app works well first, talk to every early user, and avoid fake installs or bought reviews, which bring numbers but no real users.
Make the first experience work
Every early user matters, and a crash on first launch loses them for good. Before you promote anything, run a real-user test on the devices your audience uses. Our pre-launch checklist covers the essentials.
Where early users come from
| Channel | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Waitlist | Collect emails or WhatsApp numbers before launch with a simple landing page |
| Your closed testers | Invite genuinely interested testers to stay on as early users |
| Communities | Help people in groups where your users already gather; mention the app when it's relevant |
| Personal network | Ask friends to share it with people who have the problem you solve — not to post reviews |
| Content | Short videos or posts showing the problem and how your app solves it |
| Launch sites | Product and app launch directories for tech-friendly early adopters |
| Direct outreach | Message the specific people or small businesses your app is built for |
Talk to every early user
- Send a personal welcome message.
- Ask one question: "What almost stopped you from signing up?"
- Watch where users stop in your analytics and ask them why.
- Fix the biggest issue each week and tell users you did.
What not to do
- Don't buy installs or use incentivised install networks — they inflate numbers with people who never return.
- Don't buy reviews — read should you buy Google Play reviews?
- Don't spam groups with links; you will be removed and remembered.
Turn early users into reviews
Once real users are getting value, use the official in-app review prompt at a positive moment. Genuine reviews from your first users are the strongest foundation for growth. See how to get genuine app reviews without breaking policy.
Frequently asked questions
Should I run ads for my first users?
Small, targeted ads can help test messaging, but most founders get better learning from personal outreach at first. Ads work better once you know who converts.
How long does it take to reach 100 users?
It varies widely by product and audience. Consistent weekly effort on two or three channels works better than a one-day launch push.
Can I pay people to use my app?
Paying people to install without genuine interest gives you meaningless numbers. Paid testing for feedback is different: testers are paid for their testing work, not to become users.