How I validate an app idea in 24h

November 25, 2025

Hey there,

Most founders waste months building apps nobody wants.

I validate ideas in just 24 hours. If it doesn't pass, I move on. If it does, I build.

This is exactly how I validated Puff Count before writing a single line of code.

Step 1: Check if competitors are printing

If no one in your niche is making money, why would you?

Go to Sensor Tower. Type in apps similar to your idea. See their revenue.

When I was validating Puff Count, I looked at alcohol and cigarette quitting apps. They were printing. That told me people pay for habit-breaking apps.

If the competition is good, it means there's a market.

Step 2: Check if demand is rising

You want to ride a wave, not chase a dead trend.

Go to Google Trends and type in your main keyword.

I typed "quit vaping" and saw a line going up and to the right. More people searching every month. That's a green light.

If the trend is flat or declining, move on.

Step 3: Check if content goes viral

If nobody's making content about your topic, marketing will be a nightmare.

Go to TikTok. Search your keywords and look at the views.

I searched "quit vaping" and saw videos with hundreds of thousands of views. That told me two things: the audience exists, and organic marketing will work.

If videos on your topic get no traction, think twice.

The Validation Checklist:

  • Competitors making money? ✅

  •  Google Trends going up? ✅

  • TikTok content going viral? ✅

If all three hit, you have a validated idea.

If one is missing, dig deeper. If two are missing, move on.

This process takes a few hours. It saved me from building apps nobody wanted.

Puff Count passed all three. I built it, scaled it to $44k/month and sold it.

Always validate your idea before building.

Peace,
Steven