Definition
A mechanism where existing users naturally bring in new users, creating exponential growth without paid advertising. It's the holy grail that almost nobody actually achieves.
Example Usage
Slack has an incredible viral loop—when one person invites another, both benefit, so growth is basically free.
Origin
Concept formalized in the 2000s-2010s startup era; Dropbox and Hotmail are canonical examples
Fun Fact
A true viral loop requires a viral coefficient above 1.0 (each user brings more than one new user), which is rarer than actual unicorns.
Source: Growth Strategy Terminology
Related Terms
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See “Viral Loop” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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