Looking for Users? Forget Paid Ads, Master This Instead

Found something today that feels like a genuine cheat code. Forget the AI hype for a second and let's talk about actually getting people to use the stuff we build.

💬 The Stealth Growth Playbook That's Crushing Paid Ads

A thread on r/vibecoding just dropped a masterclass on how indie developers are getting thousands of users without spending a dime on marketing. It's all about mastering App Store Optimization (ASO).

Why I'm excited: Because this is the real stuff. It's a reminder that clever, disciplined strategy can still win against a tidal wave of ad spend. It's an actionable blueprint for building something sustainable, not just hyped.

Who should care: Every indie hacker, bootstrapped founder, or product manager who doesn't have a FAANG-sized marketing budget. If you build apps, this is your new bible.

Reality check: This isn't a one-time trick. ASO is a constant grind of research, testing, and reacting to trends. It's a different kind of work, not an escape from it.

Check out The Stealth Growth Playbook That's Crushing Paid Ads →

Meanwhile, in the AI Stratosphere...

While indie devs are fighting in the trenches, the AI arms race is escalating to a whole new level. Here's what you need to know about the new frontiers being pushed.

Gemini 2.5 Deep Think: The AI Brainiac

An AI just scored gold at the International Mathematical Olympiad. This isn't just another chatbot; it's a peek at AI tackling problems that require deep, sustained reasoning. The game is changing, fast.

AI Magicx: The 'One App to Rule Them All' Play

While some AIs get specialized, this one wants to be your all-in-one workspace for code, content, and images. I'm skeptical of 'do-it-all' tools, but saving 10 subscriptions is a tempting promise.

Tools That Actually Get Work Done

Hype is cool, but tools that give you back your time are even better. Here are a few things that just launched that solve real, annoying problems.

Megaton Mask

Finally, a tool that kills the nightmare of rotoscoping. This AI-powered video masking lets you remove backgrounds without a green screen, saving hours of tedious work. A massive win for creators.

Alphie

Scheduling meetings is the worst. This AI lives in your Gmail and handles the back-and-forth for you. If it works as advertised, it's an instant buy for the reclaimed sanity alone.

Google Sans Code

Google just dropped a new font specifically for coders. Don't underestimate the power of a good font to reduce eye strain and make you a happier, more efficient dev. Your eyes will thank you.

Quick hits

ZapDigits: Privacy-first analytics that snagged paying customers on day one. A great signal for building things people actually want.

Focusdim: Your Mac's background gets dim, your active window gets a colored border. Sometimes the simplest focus hacks are the best.

GAIA: Pitched as your personal AI assistant, but it's really a marketing content generator. A lesson in watching what a tool *does*, not what it *says*.

ZINQ AI: Another attempt to make online forms less of a soul-crushing experience. Worth a look if you're tired of people abandoning your surveys.

My takeaway

The gap between building a cool tool and building a real business has never been wider.

We've got AIs that can ace math olympiads while indie devs are winning by mastering the decidedly un-sexy art of App Store keywords. The fundamental challenge isn't just creating, it's connecting.

So don't get so mesmerized by what the latest AI can build that you forget to learn how to build an audience. Mastering the distribution is still the real cheat code.

What's one 'boring' growth tactic that's actually worked wonders for you?

Drop me a reply. Till next time, this is Louis, and you are reading Louis.log().