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More Cheatsheets

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5 Effective Ways to Use Social Proof

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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