Marketing
What is Social proof?
Social proof is the tendency to copy the actions of others when we're unsure what to do. In marketing, reviews, ratings, testimonials, and 'best-seller' labels all use social proof to make a product feel trusted and popular.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains social proof.
Key things to understand
- 1People look to others' behavior to decide what's correct.
- 2It's strongest when we're uncertain or the crowd is similar to us.
- 3Reviews, ratings, and testimonials are classic examples.
- 4It builds trust and lowers the perceived risk of a choice.
Frequently asked questions
- What is social proof in marketing?
- Using signals like reviews, ratings, and testimonials to show that others trust and use a product.
- Why does social proof work?
- When unsure, people assume the crowd knows something they don't, so following others feels safer.
- What are examples of social proof?
- Customer reviews, star ratings, 'best-seller' tags, follower counts, and expert endorsements.