Rootd · B2C · panic attack relief app
Make the app deliver what searchers want so reviews repeat your keywords
Founder calls it a strong App Store presence; no numbers
Workedaso
What they did
Made sure the product matches what users search for: they see it on the product page, download, use it, then describe their experience in reviews using the same keywords, a loop that reinforces App Store ranking. Build a product that delivers what the page promises so reviews stay positive and users share it.
What happened
Named one of her top three growth drivers.
- Stage
- growth
In their words
Starter Story · This app made over $1MRelated topics
Get tactics like this every Monday
New tactics from the week's founder interviews, each linked to where it was said.
More from Rootd
All 25 Rootd tactics- Hire an outside ASO contractor to manage App Store keywordsRankings fell from #2 to tanking; recovered only after reverting to her own keywords
- Show the paywall at the start of onboarding instead of hiding itRevenue up 5x with almost no negative feedback
- Target the low-volume 'panic attack' keyword instead of the crowded 'anxiety'Now #1 for 'panic attacks' and #2-3 for 'anxiety'; glowing reviews from day one
- Launch on World Mental Health Day and pitch local journalists firstBrought the first few hundred users; later list placements fed bigger press
- Go after 'panic attack' first, then climb to 'anxiety relief'Now #2 for 'anxiety relief' and #1 for 'anxiety' (search score 36)
- Show the paywall during onboarding, with a close buttonRevenue doubled
More from this episode
- Rootd: Read reviews of rival apps to find the gap, then ship a rough first versionFirst few hundred users asked her to keep going despite bugs
- Rootd: Spend hours writing helpful replies on anxiety posts, with a link to the appNamed her top growth tactic; no numbers
- Rootd: Cold-email journalists who write about mental health, telling your own storyFew replies, but features in Cosmopolitan, Women's Health and Time
- Rootd: Release an app update every weekFounder says it shows the app is maintained; no numbers
- Rootd: Sign B2B deals and get therapists to recommend the app to patientsFounder says it's been helpful in 2025; no numbers
- Rootd: Track reviews and star rating over revenue, and build what reviewers ask forKept a 4.8 rating; founder credits it as a big growth factor