Today, we’re diving into the story about duolingo “The Language of Success” ,from its humble beginnings to its groundbreaking business model.
The Visionary Behind Duolingo”The Language of Success”
It all starts with Luis von Ahn. Luis was born in Guatemala, a country in central america. Before Duolingo, Luis made fortune with his creation of CAPTCHA,In 2000, he did early pioneering work with Manuel Blum on CAPTCHAs,a computer-generated test that humans are routinely able to pass but that computers have not yet mastered. Later it was bought by google with an undisclosed amount of money.But obviously it was in millions. But his entrepreneurial journey didn’t stop there.
From CAPTCHA to Duolingo
In 2011, Luis decided to make an educational platform then he found out learning language can make a quick impact more than learning math or physics. He thought that a waiter can get a better job in the hotel if he can speak English fluently.So Luis co-founded Duolingo with his Phd student with a mission: to provide free education to all. One of his Ted talks goes viral and day by day the platform gained traction, fueled by its innovative approach to language learning. But it wasn’t just about teaching languages; it was about creating a habit-forming product.
Why Language Learning?
For years, Duolingo operated without revenue, focusing solely on its mission. But in 2017, they flipped the script, adopting a freemium model like Spotify. Users could access basic features for free but had to endure ads or subscribe for an ad-free experience.And also super duolingo feature gives you unlimited hearts by which you can practice more while making mistakes.
Building Duolingo
This shift proved to be a game-changer. Today, Duolingo has over 4 million subscribers. And you know the shocking part is? Over a million people maintain streaks of 365 days or more. Their revenue on subscription fees, making them financially stable and enabling them to offer more.
The Viral Success
You will be shocked how far duolingo is ahead of its competitors! Where all other competitors struggle to get customers then what makes it so special. Here comes one of the most important parts of this app. They use a hooked model , as outlined by Nir Eyal in his book “Hooked.” Duolingo understands the power of triggers, actions, investments, and variable rewards in forming habits. If you don’t use this app for seven days it will give you a really aggressive notification before finally stopping sending you notification.Like you mom do when you aren’t listening to her words.From personalized notifications to leaderboard competitions, they keep users engaged and coming back for more.
Transitioning to Profit
Imagine taking an English proficiency test from the comfort of your own home, on your own schedule. That’s the beauty of the Duolingo English Test. By leveraging technology, Duolingo has disrupted the traditional testing landscape, offering a convenient and reliable alternative to exams like IELTS.
Breaking Barriers
Their commitment to free education, coupled with a savvy business model and innovative features, has solidified their place as a leader in the edtech market.
Here is another content about How to Become a CEO at a Young Age?.