Truecaller beats Facebook, becomes 4th most downloaded app in India
What's the story
Leading communication app Truecaller beat Facebook and became the fourth most downloaded app in India on PlayStore. It continues to deliver over 1 lakh clicks to in-app advertisers everyday. According to 'Mary Meeker Internet Trends of 2017', WhatsApp still rules the list as the most downloaded app followed by Messenger and ShareIt.
Innovation
Truecaller initiatives fetches the trophy
Truecaller accomplished this feat due to many innovative breakthroughs it achieved which further proved its efficacy. It revamped itself to Truecaller 8 which provides real-time caller ID and spam protection. It also partnered with Google for Google Duo that allows users to directly make video calls on Duo using a contact's phone number via Truecaller app.
Background
Truecaller secured money transactions and messages
Truecaller collaborated with ICICI Bank, that allows ICICI custimers to transfer money to their friends using IMPS protocol. Truecaller also ensured message safety by letting its users instantly see who is messaging and filter out the spam messages. Users were also empowered to send quick pre-defined messages to any other Truecaller user if they were in a situation of distress.
Information
India's app market grows sharply, outpaces US market
With the increasing smartphone penetration within the Indian market, India's app market recorded a 71% growth, significantly higher than the 15% app downloads recorded across the world. In 2016, India surpassed US as the second largest smartphone market.
Journey
Truecaller's Sequoia backed journey in India
Truecaller was founded by Alan Mamedi and Nami Zarringhalam in 2009. Following the huge fund-raising program, it partnered with Yelp in 2014 to use its API data. Three years ago Truecaller raised a whopping $18.8 million in funding led by Sequoia Capital India. Mamedi said that it was only because of Sequoia that the company decided to enter the Indian market.