Duolingo Unveils Major Product Updates that Turn Learning into Real-World Power at Duocon 2025
Duolingo (NASDAQ:DUOL), the leading mobile learning platform, announced major product updates at Duocon 2025. The company unveiled a groundbreaking LinkedIn integration that allows users to display their Duolingo Scores on professional profiles, bridging the gap between language skills and career opportunities.
Additionally, following the successful iOS launch of Duolingo Chess in June 2025, the company is expanding the course to Android and introducing a player-versus-player mode. The chess course, available in multiple languages, features AI-powered coaching and interactive gameplay.
The company also highlighted improvements to its AI-powered Video Call feature for Max subscribers, now available in nine courses, offering personalized conversation practice with enhanced feedback systems.
- Integration with LinkedIn enhances professional credibility of Duolingo language scores
- Expansion of Chess course to Android platform increases market reach
- Addition of player-vs-player mode in Chess could drive user engagement
- Enhancement of AI-powered Video Call feature across nine courses strengthens premium offering
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Insights
Duolingo's LinkedIn integration and Chess expansion represent strategic diversification beyond language learning, potentially boosting engagement and monetization opportunities.
Duolingo's latest product announcements signal a strategic evolution beyond its core language learning platform into a broader educational ecosystem. The LinkedIn integration is particularly significant as it transforms Duolingo Scores from mere learning metrics into professional credentials with real-world value. This bridges the gap between casual learning and professional development, potentially increasing user retention and engagement by adding tangible career benefits.
The Chess course expansion demonstrates Duolingo's commitment to diversifying beyond languages while maintaining its gamified approach. By launching on Android and adding player-versus-player functionality, they're not just expanding their addressable market but also introducing social dynamics that have proven effective for user retention in gaming apps. The multi-platform strategy across iOS and Android ensures maximum market coverage.
The company's focus on AI-powered conversation and experimentation reveals a sophisticated product development approach. The enhanced Video Call feature for Max subscribers represents a clear premium value proposition, potentially driving subscription conversions. Meanwhile, their emphasis on rigorous A/B testing across millions of users demonstrates a data-driven culture that optimizes for engagement and learning outcomes.
These updates collectively position Duolingo as an education technology platform rather than just a language app, opening avenues for expanded monetization opportunities and user growth beyond their traditional base, while reinforcing the premium value of their subscription offering.
Free virtual event features new LinkedIn integration, chess course expansion, and a fresh take on learning through play
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duolingo (NASDAQ:DUOL), the world’s leading mobile learning platform, today announced two major product updates at its annual global event, Duocon 2025: a first-of-its-kind integration that brings the Duolingo Score to LinkedIn Profiles, and the expansion of its popular Duolingo Chess course with an Android launch and new player-versus-player mode on iOS. These updates showcase Duolingo’s evolution from a language learning app into a broader educational platform, and help bridge the gap between online learning and real-world impact.
“Our goal has always been to make the best education in the world available to everyone. With these updates, we’re taking another big step in that direction,” said Luis von Ahn, co-founder and CEO of Duolingo. “Whether you’re adding your Duolingo Score to your LinkedIn profile or battling a real person in a chess match coached by Oscar, we’re showing that education can be useful, credible, and actually fun.”
From the Classroom to the Conference Room: Duolingo Scores Come to LinkedIn
For the first time ever, learners can link their Duolingo Score – a clear, real-time reflection of language skills – directly to their LinkedIn Profiles. This integration helps to bridge the gap between language skills and opportunities on the world’s largest professional network.
Checkmate, Boredom: Duolingo Chess Gets Social and Launches on Android
Since its June 2025 launch on iOS, Duolingo Chess has drawn millions of daily learners with its puzzle-based, bingeable format. Now, the course is leveling up with two significant updates:
- Android Launch: Duolingo’s popular new course is now available to even more learners worldwide in its top languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese.
- Player-versus-Player (PvP) Mode: Coming soon to iOS, this new feature will let users challenge other learners in real-time matches, with Android support to follow.
Built for beginners, Duolingo Chess teaches real strategy with live coaching, and some sarcastic quips from Oscar, Duolingo’s fabulously demanding chess tutor. The upcoming PvP experience brings even more chaos and competition to learning, making chess not just smart, but surprisingly social.
Building Smarter Learning: Personalization Through AI and Experimentation
Duolingo also highlighted two powerful engines behind its product evolution: AI-driven conversation and large-scale experimentation.
The company shared improvements to its AI-powered Video Call feature, now available across nine of its most popular courses for all Max subscribers. With onboarding support, real-time feedback, and post-call reviews, the experience is designed to make speaking practice feel more approachable and less like, well, practice. Learners can build confidence through conversations with Lily, Duolingo’s sharp-tongued character, who now offers more personalized and dynamic interactions than ever before.
In another session, Duolingo offered a behind-the-scenes look at how its product gets better daily through rigorous A/B testing. From new lesson types to push notifications, every learner-facing feature is tested across millions of users, allowing the team to make data-informed decisions that drive engagement and learning outcomes.
All sessions, updates, and product demos are available at duolingo.com/duocon.
About Duolingo
Duolingo (www.duolingo.com) is the most popular mobile learning platform and the most downloaded education app worldwide. The app makes learning new languages, math, music, and chess fun with bite-sized lessons that feel like playing a game. The company's mission is to develop the best education in the world and make it universally available. Duolingo offers lessons in music, math, chess, and language with over 250 total language courses from Spanish, French, German, and Japanese to Navajo and Yiddish.
Media Contact:
Monica Earle
press@duolingo.com
FAQ
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