Podcast Summary: Ashish Aggarwal on the Future of No-Code Monetization

The Digital Executive | Coruzant Technologies | Ep 1162
Date: December 3, 2025
Guest: Ashish Aggarwal, Co-Founder of AppRota
Host: Brian Thomas

Episode Overview

This episode explores the disruptive rise of no-code, automation-first solutions in mobile app and game monetization. Ashish Aggarwal, co-founder of AppRota, shares hard-won insights from his career—including lessons at Google—on eliminating friction points for developers, the evolution of monetization strategies in response to shifting privacy policies, and how the next generation of non-technical creators is poised to remake the industry using AI and no-code platforms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Need for No-Code Monetization Platforms

• Friction Points at Google:
  Ashish discusses, based on his experience at Google, how developers were frustrated by the need to integrate external SDKs or code. This led to app bloat, instability, and privacy concerns—ultimately creating a barrier to adopting new solutions.

  • Quote:

    "The app developers... absolutely hated adding any more code which made the app or game heavier for users and could lead to crashes or any user data being leaked." —Ashish [02:23]

• AppRota’s No-Code Vision:
  By focusing on no-code and no-SDK solutions, AppRota aimed to make monetization tech accessible and easy to implement, regardless of a developer's technical resources.

  • Quote:

    "...we were very clear that we want to have a no code, no SDK approach selling to app and game developers." —Ashish [03:18]

2. Traits of Successful Game Studios

• Brutal Industry Statistics:
  Only 0.6% of developed games achieve significant publication or user adoption on major app stores.

  • Quote:

    "...only 0.6% of games developed in the world are actually published on the Play and Apple Store at any meaningful scale." —Ashish [04:16]

• Three Commonalities Among Successful Studios:

  1. Data-driven Systems: In-house AB testing and analytics for mechanics, user acquisition, and monetization.
  2. Deep Industry Knowledge: Teams possess 'tribal knowledge' and adaptability to frequent disruptions.
  3. Capital Access: Ability to scale by developing internally or acquiring promising games.
  • Quote:

    "You need to have these three things to really stand out from the other developers." —Ashish [05:24]

3. Evolving Monetization Strategies in the Privacy Era

• Pandemic-Induced Change & Privacy Shifts:
  The pandemic accelerated reliance on in-app ads, but new privacy demands (especially from iOS) changed the rules.

  • Quote:

    "Suddenly they faced this new world where users wanted privacy, privacy became a focus and suddenly ads...were suddenly faced with a new business model." —Ashish [06:54]

• Impact of Platform Policies:
  Contrary to narratives, Ashish explains that platforms (not users) were driving privacy changes, forcing developers to adapt.

  • Quote:

    "The stakeholder in our industry that had an issue with this was actually iOS, the platform, and they were the ones actually pushing the narrative on privacy." —Ashish [07:11]

• Market Impact:

  • Google became stricter on privacy, opening a path for competitors (like Applovin) less invested in the same privacy ethos.
  • Developers diversified, not relying solely on ad monetization but also incorporating in-app purchases and subscriptions.
  • Quote:

    "It's completely shifted the way that game developers now look at acquiring users and monetizing users, where now they're focusing much more on not just ads but also in app purchases or subscriptions..." —Ashish [08:24]

4. The Next Generation of App and Game Creators

• AI & Influencer-driven Creation:
  The rise of AI tools and established distribution via social media and platforms like Discord, Reddit, and Roblox, is empowering young, non-technical creators.

  • Quote:

    "AI will make everyone a potential creator of apps and games..." —Ashish [09:22] "...young people who are popular on social media, Reddit, Discord...have distribution through their own influencer persona..." —Ashish [09:40]

• No-Code Aligns with Creator Needs:
  This new wave expects the entire creation and monetization journey to be code-free. AppRota directly addresses these expectations with its no-code ethos.

  • Quote:

    "Our no code philosophy...is perfectly suited for these creators because when you're a non technical person building your product using AI with no code, you expect all the solutions and your journey after that to be similar to what you started." —Ashish [10:37]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Industry Brutality:

  "It's a very, very brutal industry for game developers and studios where you only have a 0.6% chance of becoming like a really big game in the world." —Ashish [04:30]

• On Future of No-Code Monetization:

  "We're really excited to support and work with these young creators to continue and help them grow their revenue through monetization." —Ashish [11:00]

Timeline & Timestamps of Key Segments

• [01:46] – Major frictions in app monetization revealed at Google (Ashish)
• [04:09] – Factors differentiating successful vs. struggling studios
• [06:36] – Shifts in the gaming economy and impact of privacy policies
• [09:17] – The future: AI-enabled, no-code creators and monetization platforms

Tone & Style

Ashish brings an analytical, future-focused, and encouraging tone, blending industry data, personal anecdotes, and strategic vision. The conversation maintains an accessible, optimistic energy—with actionable insights for all audiences, from seasoned developers to aspiring creators.

For anyone interested in the intersection of no-code tools, mobile game monetization, and the democratization of digital creation, this episode is an illuminating listen.