Skip to main content
UX Content
  • Case Studies
  • UX Bites
  • Cheatsheets
  • Psychology
BFM+
  • Instant Feedback
  • MCP
  • Figma Plugin
  • Tiers & pricing
  • Free newsletter
  • Log in
Other
  • Archive
  • About
  • Help
  • Changelog
Services
UX audits

A complete audit of your user experience, delivered in a format that you can't ignore.

Book an audit

Built for Mars Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales (Company No. 12731987).

Account
  • Log inAccess your library and activities
  • SubscribeUnlock all features and access to the library
Learn from the best companies in the world

A library of content that even non-designers find interesting.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Structured learning
  • UX BootcampEnroll in a 5-week bootcamp
  • PathwaysCreate custom learning Pathways to work towards any goal, industry or topic
  • CollectionsBrowse Case Studies by key topics
  • QuizzesTest your knowledge
Explore the library
  • Case StudiesSlideshows that are packed with research
  • UX BitesReal examples of design magic
  • CheatsheetsQuickly level up in a particular area
  • Product PsychologyLearn the essentials
  • NewsletterGet research straight to your inbox
  • CompaniesBrowse by company
Learn from the best companies in the world

A library of content that even non-designers find interesting.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Tools to help you
  • AI InsightsUpload screenshots of your design, and get instant feedback from our AI
  • MCPAccess the entire library from your favourite agent
  • Figma pluginAccess our AI tools, and our entire library, directly from Figma
One-to-one help
  • UX AuditsThe fast-track for growth
Includes tools that help you ship better products

Learning never stops, but sometimes you need a little more.

Subscribe todaySubscribe today
Log inSubscribe today

More Cheatsheets

Cheatsheet:
Arc Search logoFlighty logo logoPicture This logo logo

5 mins

Aha! Moments (And The Pizza Without Cheese Problem)

Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Cheatsheet:
Spotify Icon App logoStrava logoOpal logo logo

5 mins

Tactical Ways to Save Users at the Last Minute

Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Cheatsheet:
Zettle logo logoAtoms logo logoFinch logo logo

4 mins

Show, Don’t Tell (And 5 Other Onboarding Rules)

Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Cheatsheet:
Etsy logo logoAirbnb logo logoBe Real logo

5 mins

Writing UX Copy that Feels Effortless to Read

Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Cheatsheet:
Figma Icon logoDiscord logo logoRise logo logo

4 mins

How Clever Design Can Reduce Anxiety

Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Cheatsheet:
Lego logo logoGoogle logo logoRead Me logo logo

5 mins

The True Value of User Delight

Subscribe to unlock
Preview
Home
Cheatsheets
5 Effective Ways to Use Social Proof

How to get the most from Cheatsheets

BFM+Exclusive

5 Effective Ways to Use Social Proof

5 mins Cheatsheet
5 Effective Ways to Use Social Proof graphic 05 Effective Ways to Use Social Proof graphic 15 Effective Ways to Use Social Proof graphic 2
  • 1. Showing user counts

If you saw a crowd of people sprinting out of a building, you're probably not going to investigate why they're running—you'd just join them.

We use social cues to help us make decisions.

Knowing that other people liked a product is a signal that you might also like it.

But how do you actually use social proof, other than by posting boring testimonials?

Over the next few minutes, I'll show you 5 really effective ways to use social proof, even if you don't have millions of users.

1. Showing user counts

In principle, 🙋‍♂️ Social Proof provides some reassurance in what you’re about to do. 

This effect comes from the awareness that there are others doing the exact same thing as you.

It's a very basic instinct of "others are doing it, so I should".

So here’s Planta, for example, telling you that your plant is amongst 32 million others on their app:

Peter Ramsey, Built for Mars Founder

Written by Peter Ramsey

Consultant to 100+ companies

Published: 04/12/2025
Last edited: 08/07/2026