Categories
Vanity metrics can create the appearance of progress without reducing uncertainty. In early-stage evaluation, vanity metrics often increase skepticism because they avoid the real questions.
Common vanity metrics at the early stage
- total signups without activation
- pageviews without meaningful engagement
- social followers without conversion
What evaluators prefer instead
Evaluators typically prefer signals tied to learning and adoption, such as repeat usage, pilot engagement, and clear evidence of user pain.