Skool just kicked off 2026 with a clear focus: helping your community grow.
After two years of big leaps from launching the $9 plan, to adding native video, live streaming, and tiers the platform is shifting gears again. This year’s theme is simple: discovery.
If you’re building a Skool group (or thinking about it), here’s what’s changing, what’s working right now, and how you can ride the momentum in early 2026.
Skool’s Mission for 2026: More Members, Less Effort
Last year was all about building a complete product. Now that Skool does nearly everything you need content, community, calls, payments the next challenge is helping you get found.
Expect updates to:
- Search results
- Discovery rankings
- Skool homepage traffic
- Suggested communities
- Analytics showing where your members came from
The goal is simple: if someone’s searching for “piano,” “AI,” or “vegan,” your community should show up without you needing a huge audience.
What Is “The Tailwind” and Why It Matters
Sam and the team call it the “Skool tailwind.”
Here’s how it works:
You build a free group. You promote it a little. Then Skool’s network kicks in and starts sending you members.
- New creators are seeing 30% or more of their members come directly from Skool
- Some niche groups (like ukulele and machine knitting) are getting members before they even promote externally
- Larger groups are now getting thousands of members per month from the internal network
This is already happening but 2026 is about making it better, faster, and more predictable.
Real Examples of Skool’s Discovery Effect
These aren’t theories. Here’s what’s working for creators right now:
Nate Herk (AI + Automation)
- Free group: 226,000 members
- Paid group: 3,100+ members at $94/month
- MRR: $238,000+
- 63% of new members now come from Skool, not YouTube
He started with content. Now the platform is doing most of the work.
Kim Thompson (Machine Knitting)
- Free group: 1,100 members
- Main source: Facebook
- 37% of members now come from Skool’s network
Even niche groups in small hobbies are growing fast when they plug into discovery.
Jillian Berry (Raw Vegan)
- Paid group: $30/month
- 170+ members
- Traffic from Instagram, YouTube and 9% from Skool discovery (in just weeks)
David Mincy (Metal Detecting)
- Free group: 49 members
- Source: YouTube
- 36% of his new members now come from Skool
Big or small everyone starts with one link and a small push. Skool helps after that.
How to Ride the Skool Discovery Wave
Here’s what’s working now and how to get momentum:
- Create a free group around a specific passion
- Post the link in your bio (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, wherever)
- Invite your first 5–10 members even friends or past clients
- Skool will start showing your group to others searching for similar interests
- Add value (posts, lessons, calendar events) and watch it compound
Once your community is alive, discovery will start sending more members your way like a tailwind on a plane.
Skool Games 2026: Q1 Has Begun
The Skool Games are back.
If you’re not familiar, it’s a quarterly leaderboard challenge where creators compete to grow their paid groups. Top 5 winners in each category (money, hobbies, music, etc.) get flown to LA, join a mastermind, and receive the iconic Skool trophy.
Nate Herk won all four quarters last year. He grew consistently, posted his lessons, and stayed visible.
If you’re building this year, now’s your chance to join and climb.
Simple Advice for New Creators
If you’re new to Skool, here’s where to start:
- Go to the Classroom and watch “Skool 101”
- Click Discover and join 5–10 groups you’re curious about
- Be active. Comment. Ask questions.
- Watch how others are doing it. Then make your own version.
Most top communities today were started by someone who joined a few groups, got inspired, and then launched their own.
