Hi HN, I’m an indie Android developer from India. I built a small utility app called WA Status Saver 2026 that lets users download WhatsApp photo and video statuses before they disappear. The Problem I Noticed Most status saver apps are overloaded with: Full-screen interstitial ads Forced ads before every action Poor UX Users tolerate it, but the experience feels frustrating. My Approach Instead of maximizing ad impressions, I experimented with: Fewer interstitial ads No ad before every download Focus on faster loading and smoother UX Keeping app size lightweight The idea: increase usage and retention instead of short-term ad revenue. What I Learned Heavy ads increase short-term revenue but reduce retention. Lower ad frequency improves session time. Users leave honest positive reviews when they don’t feel exploited. Small apps can compete by improving experience, not features. I’m still experimenting with: Rewarded ads vs interstitial balance Retention metrics Long-term monetization strategy Would love feedback from the HN community on: Sustainable ad strategies Ethical monetization for utility apps Growth without aggressive ads Thanks