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Growth is a practice. Study the patterns.

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© 2026 Tactern
The growth research library

See how great
companies grow.

Explore the tactics, patterns, and flows behind the world’s
most interesting growth strategies.

TryHow does Canva grow?Referral programsSaaS onboardingTemplate SEOFreemium conversion
Search the libraryBrowse patterns

Explore by stage

60 tactics across 19 companies
01

Acquisition

8 patterns · 23 tactics

02

Activation

7 patterns · 21 tactics

03

Conversion

5 patterns · 13 tactics

04

Retention

7 patterns · 22 tactics

05

Monetization

4 patterns · 10 tactics

06

Virality

7 patterns · 21 tactics

Featured tactics

Real companies. Specific tactics.

View all tactics
CanvaGrowth path
01Google Search
02Template landing page
03Browse template
04Start designing
05Signup
Mechanism map · Tactern analysis
Canva

Template-Led Acquisition

Canva connects specific design searches to public templates that lead directly into creation.

AcquisitionActivationProduct-led

Patterns

Explore all patterns

Template-Led Acquisition

Turn a specific search into a useful starting point.

3 tactics

Two-Sided Referral

Give both people a reason to make the introduction.

2 tactics

Free Tool Acquisition

Solve a small problem before asking for a commitment.

5 tactics

Freemium Conversion

Let product usage reveal the reason to upgrade.

Search the library

Search companies, tactics, and patterns, then narrow by stage, industry, and business model.

Search the library

Research methodology

See how Tactern separates observed evidence from editorial analysis.

Read our research approach

Companies

Browse all companies

Canva

7 tactics · Design

Notion

6 tactics · Productivity

Dropbox

3 tactics · Storage

Figma

4 tactics · Design

Slack

4 tactics · Productivity

Linear

5 tactics · Productivity

Loom

4 tactics · Video

Built from public sources.

Every tactic links to its sources and keeps observation separate from analysis.

How we research
DropboxReferral loop
01Existing user
02Shares invitation
03Friend signs up
04Installs desktop app
05Both earn storage
Mechanism map · Tactern analysis
Dropbox

Two-Sided Referral

Dropbox gives the inviter and eligible new user additional storage after the referral requirements are completed.

AcquisitionViralityProduct-led
DuolingoReturn loop
01Complete lesson
02Extend streak
03See progress
04Return tomorrow
05Practice again
Mechanism map · Tactern analysis
Duolingo

Progress Streak

Duolingo turns consecutive days of practice into visible progress worth returning to.

RetentionProduct-led
NotionGrowth path
01Find workflow
02Preview template
03Add to workspace
04Customize
05Use again
Mechanism map · Tactern analysis
Notion

A template for every starting point

Notion’s template marketplace connects specific workflows with pages people can add to their workspace.

AcquisitionActivationProduct-led
FigmaCollaboration loop
01Create file
02Share access
03Teammate joins
04Review together
05Invite another collaborator
Mechanism map · Tactern analysis
Figma

The multiplayer invite loop

Figma’s shared files give designers a practical reason to invite teammates into a working document.

ActivationViralityProduct-led
LoomGrowth path
01Record video
02Send link
03Recipient watches
04Respond
05Record own video
Mechanism map · Tactern analysis
Loom

Every video is a product introduction

A Loom link takes a recipient straight to a recorded explanation and exposes the tool through useful work.

AcquisitionViralityProduct-led
2 tactics

Invite Loop

Make the next useful step a shared one.

2 tactics

Shareable Output

Let the work travel beyond the workspace.

5 tactics

Progress Streak

Make consistent effort visible.

1 tactic

Feature Gating

Charge for capabilities that become useful as needs grow.

1 tactic

Calendly

3 tactics · Productivity

HubSpot

4 tactics · Marketing

Shopify

4 tactics · Commerce

Duolingo

3 tactics · Education

Wise

2 tactics · Fintech

Revolut

2 tactics · Fintech

Airbnb

1 tactic · Travel

Uber

2 tactics · Mobility

Grab

2 tactics · Mobility

Tokopedia

1 tactic · Commerce

Shopee

1 tactic · Commerce

Wahda

2 tactics · Community