Episode #
The Trap of Product-Led Growth #2584
October 18, 2023

In episode #2584, we take an in-depth look at product-led growth (PLG), a popular business strategy that relies on using your product as the primary vehicle to generate more growth, traffic, and users. But wait! There’s a catch. While this approach yields rapid initial adoption and growth, companies that follow the PLG playbook risk getting stuck in what is known as the PLG trap and may have difficulty scaling in the long run. Tune in as we share examples of companies that have used PLG to their advantage and others where it has led to their downfall, plus we highlight the importance of planning ahead, share our advice for evolving from a PLG-only to a PLG enterprise company, and more!
TIME-STAMPED SHOW NOTES:

[00:00] Today’s topic: The Trap of Product-Led Growth.

[00:04] What product-led growth is and what are some successful examples of it?

[01:45] How to avoid what the Harvard Business Review calls the “trap of PLG.”

[02:41] Examples of declining year-over-year revenue growth as a result of the PLG trap.

[04:45] A case study of a company that successfully avoided the PLG trap.

[05:08] Remember: the marketing tactics are highly variable!

[05:37] That’s it for today! Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

Go to https://www.marketingschool.io to learn more!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

‘How Software Companies Can Avoid the Trap of Product-Led Growth’

MongoDB

Don’t forget to help us grow by subscribing and liking on YouTube!

Leave Some Feedback:

What should we talk about next? Please let us know in the comments below

Did you enjoy this episode? If so, please leave a short review.

Connect with Us: 

Single Grain << Eric’s ad agency

NP Digital << Neil’s ad agency

X @neilpatel 

X @ericosiu

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover Latest Episodes

Episode
How Netflix Is Revolutionizing Ad Buying, Bosses Are Done Being ‘Nice’, 14M YouTuber Quits – Is Going Viral Worth It?
May 28, 2025

In this episode #2979, Eric Siu and Neil Patel discuss how AI is transforming advertising, including Netflix's dynamic ad placements. They explore shifts in digital marketing, evolving workplace expec...

Episode
SEO Attribution Is COMPLETELY F**CKED, Dressing Nice Doesn’t Make You More Money, How To Get A 50% Discount On Luxury Clothes
May 27, 2025

In this episode #2978, Eric Siu and Neil Patel discuss the challenges of SEO attribution, the evolution of marketing, and the need to prioritize customer value over metrics. They also explore the role...

Episode
Why I Fired My $25k/mo YouTube Agency, The Business Case for AI Mode, Website Traffic Is Toast (The Rapid Decline)
May 26, 2025

In this episode #2977, Eric Siu and Neil Patel discuss Neil’s experience with a YouTube agency, emphasizing the importance of strong scripts and the challenges with communication. They share insight...