"Bloomberg for short-form video": what is gaining traction, which creators matter and what content performs.
Build analytics for short-form video: Virlo, $31K MRR
Creators and agencies pay for trend data, and owning the data pipeline is a moat.
Figures as told to Indie Hackers (self-reported by the founder) · source
From Indie Hackers · Sep 2026
The Short Version
How Nicolas Mauro (Virlo) made $31K+ MRR, according to Indie Hackers (self-reported).
- What: Nic Mauro built Virlo to combine data from TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
- Result: Indie Hackers lists Virlo at more than $31K a month in revenue (Indie Hackers, Sep 2026).
| Who | Nicolas Mauro (Virlo) |
|---|---|
| Tool | Not named in the source |
| Money | $31K+ MRR |
| Timeframe | Sep 2026 |
| Source | Indie Hackers |
| Self-reported | Yes |
The workflow
Where & With What
What They Did
- 1The moveNic Mauro built Virlo to combine data from TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts.
- 2Step 2Track TikTok, Reels and Shorts together
- 3Step 3Find your best-paying segment
- 4ResultIndie Hackers lists Virlo at more than $31K a month in revenue (Indie Hackers, Sep 2026).
Quick Answers
What tools do you need?
Just the platform account.
How much does it cost?
No paid tools needed: this case uses only the platform itself, which is free to join.
Is it allowed?
Follow the platform rules and disclose ads.
Watch out: Self-reported; most of the interview is for subscribers only. Platform data access can change.
Try It Yourself
(Our template, not the creator's prompt.) List the 10 short-form videos in [niche] with the most views this week, the hook in each first line and the format they share, then suggest 3 videos I could make on the same pattern.
Your first step
Paste the prompt into your AI assistant and swap the [brackets] for your own niche.
Full write-up & sources
More detail: When agencies showed the most demand, he narrowed the focus to them: account managers and strategists use it to research clients' markets. He built his own data infrastructure instead of relying on rented APIs.
Source: Indie Hackers · Sep 2026. Summarised in our own words; figures as told to Indie Hackers (self-reported by the founder). Updated .
