Glossary
What is social proof?
Social proof is evidence that other people use, trust or recommend a product: customer logos, testimonials, reviews, user counts, ratings, press mentions and awards such as a Product of the Day badge. People look to others' choices when unsure, so social proof reduces the risk a new visitor feels.
Types of social proof
| Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Testimonials | A quote with a name, role and photo |
| Customer logos | Companies using the product |
| Reviews and ratings | G2, Capterra, app store stars |
| Usage numbers | "Used by 2,400 teams" |
| Awards | Product of the Day, featured badges |
| Press | "As seen in" with real links |
| Community | GitHub stars, active forum |
The idea comes from psychologist Robert Cialdini's work on influence: people follow what others like them do, especially when uncertain.
Collecting it early
- Ask beta testers for a one-line quote and permission to use it.
- Turn specific praise in emails or support chats into testimonials (with permission).
- Get early reviews on a software review site.
- Show launch results and badges honestly.
Where to place it
Near the main call to action, next to pricing, and on sign-up pages, where doubt peaks.
Example
A founder adds three named testimonials and a Product Hunt badge next to her sign-up button. Trial starts rise, mostly from visitors arriving via directory listings who had never heard of the product.
FAQ
Is fake social proof legal?
No. Fake reviews and testimonials can break consumer protection laws and platform rules.
What if I have no customers yet?
Use beta user quotes, founder credibility, or launch results; be honest about being new.
Do badges count as social proof?
Award badges from real platforms do.