THE MINIMUM LOVABLE PRODUCT ERA

Summary from the TLDR Marketing newsletter

Minimal Lovable Products are replacing MVPs because basic functionality is now cheap and easy to copy. AI has cut build costs from about $200K to as little as $20 or free, so simple utility no longer creates an advantage. Most products still sit at the functional and reliable layers, while lovability drives higher retention, LTV, and word of mouth. Emotional touches such as personality, delight moments, and human tone are now the strongest moat since AI can replicate features quickly. Teams should build delight into roadmaps and set a clear standard that every release must feel genuinely enjoyable to use.