Vanity Metrics
Data points that look impressive but don't provide actionable insights or reflect true product health.
Keywords:
vanity metrics, empty metrics
Contents
Deep Dive
Metaphysical Synthesis & Analysis
The Synthesis
Vanity metrics look impressive but don't inform decisions. Total registered users, page views, and downloads are classic examples: they go up and to the right but don't predict business success. Eric Ries contrasts these with actionable metrics that tie to business outcomes. For PMs, the test is: if this metric changes, would you do something different? If not, it's vanity.
Metaphysical Foundation
Vanity metrics are the illusion of progress. They provide comfort without insight.
Evolutionary Path
From celebrating vanity metrics to focusing on actionable metrics, product organizations have become more disciplined about what they measure.
Strategic Interplays
Vanity metrics distract from real Metrics. They are replaced by actionable-metrics that inform decision-making.
Key Episodes
Eric Ries
Reflections on a movement | Eric Ries (creator of the Lean Startup methodology)
Krithika Shankarraman
Growth tactics from OpenAI and Stripe’s first marketer | Krithika Shankarraman
Grant Lee
“Dumbest idea I’ve heard” to $100M ARR: Inside the rise of Gamma | Grant Lee (co...
Brian Balfour
Why ChatGPT will be the next big growth channel (and how to capitalize on it) | ...
Jackie Bavaro
Bending the universe in your favor | Claire Vo (LaunchDarkly, Color, Optimizely,...
Gokul Rajaram
What AI means for your product strategy | Paul Adams (CPO of Intercom)
Sarah Tavel
The hierarchy of engagement | Sarah Tavel (Benchmark, Greylock, Pinterest)
Crystal W
How to scrappily hire for, measure, and unlock growth | Crystal Widjaja, Gojek a...
Melissa
Building high-performing teams | Melissa Tan (Webflow, Dropbox, Canva)
Vijay
An inside look at Mixpanel’s product journey | Vijay Iyengar
Ken Norton
How to unlock your product leadership skills | Ken Norton, Ex-Google
Ryan J. Salva