/decisions · 2026-05-13 · squarely · monetization

Squarely iOS monetization pick — which model for launch?

Inventory complete (see vault note linked below). Click an action to fire an iMessage back to the Ray session with the decision encoded.

iOS app is 2-4 weeks from a free-v1 launch. The monetization model is the strategic blocker, not the engineering. Four shapes surfaced; recommendation in the inventory is defer monetization to v1.1 and ship v1 free, but the founder picks. Park option included.

Context

The inventory at ~/rdco-vault/01-projects/squarely-puzzles/2026-05-13-mobile-app-inventory.md captures: 9,556 Swift LOC, 11 Firebase Cloud Functions deployed, 150 tests, 5 crash classes patched April 2026, 20-item punchlist (6 blockers, all small). Codebase is in launch-ready shape — biggest open strategic question is the monetization model.

The four options, terse pros/cons:

IAP (one-time unlock) — Effort M. Lumpy revenue, low friction, fits the paperback-book purchase pattern. Cap on per-user revenue.
Subscription — Effort L. Recurring revenue with churn complexity. Weakest brand fit — puzzle audiences resist subscriptions absent an NYT-Games-scale offering.
Ad-supported — Effort M. Zero purchase friction, UX cost. Requires DAU to matter. Clashes with the wood-and-glass aesthetic.
Hybrid (free + ad-removal IAP) — Effort M-L. Standard casual-puzzle pattern. Both revenue floors compound. Most surface area to build.

Ray's recommendation: defer to v1.1 — ship free this sprint, instrument the viral share loop, measure DAU and conversion intent for 4-6 weeks, then pick. The fifth action below is "park the mobile bet" for completeness; engineering case for park is weak given recent April investment.

Lock in

A — IAP one-time unlock

Build StoreKit2 IAP + paywall in v1. Add any gating preference (free-tier shape, price point).

Pick IAP + send

B — Subscription

Build StoreKit2 subscriptions + trial in v1. Add tier preference (monthly only, annual only, or both).

Pick Subscription + send

C — Ad-supported

Build ad SDK + placements in v1. Specify ad style tolerance (banner only, rewarded for hints, interstitial between puzzles).

Pick Ad-supported + send

D — Hybrid (free + ad-removal IAP)

Build both ad SDK + StoreKit2 ad-removal IAP in v1. Standard casual-puzzle shape. Add IAP price.

Pick Hybrid + send

Defer — ship v1 free, decide later (Ray recommends)

Ship a free v1 this sprint. Defer monetization plumbing to v1.1 after 4-6 weeks of DAU and conversion-intent signal. Add any sprint constraints.

Defer to v1.1 + send

Park — shelve the mobile bet

Stop active iOS work. Refocus on KDP listing + Amazon ads + A+ Content (the load-bearing engine per STRATEGY.md). Add a one-line rationale.

Park the mobile bet + send