I've learned that the biggest gap in product development is between what we think users will do and what they actually do. Real usage data is the most honest feedback you can get about your product.
When you understand how people actually use your product, you can make better decisions about what to build, what to improve, and what to remove. Usage data doesn't lie.
User Behavior vs. Opinions
What people say they'll do and what they actually do are often completely different. Real usage data reveals the truth about how your product is being used, not how people think they'll use it.
Uncovering Hidden Patterns
Usage data shows you patterns you never expected. Users often find ways to use your product that you never intended, revealing opportunities you didn't know existed.
Measuring What Matters
Real usage tells you what features are actually valuable to users, not just what you think is valuable. This helps you focus your development efforts on what drives real engagement.
Informed Decision Making
When you understand how people actually use your product, you can make better decisions about what to build next, what to improve, and what to remove.
The Usage Mindset
Understanding real usage isn't about tracking everything, it's about tracking what matters. Focus on metrics that help you understand user behavior and make better product decisions.
The best product teams I've seen use usage data to inform their decisions, not just to report on success. They understand that usage patterns reveal opportunities and problems that aren't obvious from user feedback alone.
A Personal Reflection
I used to think that user feedback was the best way to understand how people use products. Now I think that usage data is the most honest feedback you can get.
The most surprising insights I've discovered have come from looking at how people actually use products, not how they say they use them. Usage data reveals the truth about what users value and how they behave.
Exploring new ideas? Me too.
I’m always curious about early-stage projects, especially the ones that move fast, test early, and aim to solve something real.