The "Mom Test" Guide: How to Interview Users Without Biasing Them
People lie to be nice. To get the truth, ask about their past behavior ("When was the last time you did X?") not their future intent ("Would you buy X?").
What is The Mom Test?
The Mom Test is A set of rules for crafting user interview questions that even your mom can't lie to you about.
The 3 Core Benefits
Avoid Building Vaporware
Validating a problem exists prevents you from spending 6 months building a solution looking for a problem.
Uncover Hidden Competitors
You will find out they currently solve the problem using "Excel" or "An Intern." That is your real competition.
Pre-Sales
A good interview often ends with "Can I buy this?" If you solve a real pain, the interview seamlessly transitions into a sale.
The 3 Golden Rules
Rule 1: Talk about their life, not your idea
Do not pitch. Ask: "Tell me about how you currently handle X." Let them complain.
Rule 2: Ask about specifics in the past
Bad: "Would you pay for this?" Good: "How much did you pay to solve this last time?" Past behavior predicts future behavior.
Rule 3: Talk less, listen more
You should be doing 10% of the talking. Shut up and take notes. If they stop talking, wait. Silence forces them to elaborate.
The "Magic Wand" Question
Ask: "If you could wave a magic wand and fix this perfectly, what would that look like?" The answer is your product roadmap.
Validate with Mesh
After the interview, invite them to your Mesh-enabled site. Seeing that other founders are using/endorsing you validates your solution socially.
Pitching vs. Listening & Observing
| Feature | Pitching | Listening & Observing |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Validation (Seek praise) | Discovery (Seek truth) |
| Outcome | False Positives | Actionable Data |
| Cost | Wasted Dev Time | Start for Free (Validation) |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people should I interview?
5 to 10 is usually enough to see a pattern. If 10 people all have the same complaint, you have struck oil.
Can I do this over email?
No. You miss tone of voice, hesitation, and excitement. Get on a call or meet for coffee.
What if they say they wouldn't pay?
Believe them. Do not try to convince them. Ask "Why?" and learn. Maybe the pain isn't big enough.
What makes a launch channel high intent?
High-intent channels have users actively searching for solutions, not just browsing a feed.
How many channels should I launch on?
Start with 3-5 strong channels, measure conversions, then expand to 10-12 over time.
How do I avoid launch fatigue?
Stagger your launches and reuse assets so each channel gets a focused push.
What should I measure after launch?
Track qualified signups, backlinks, and demo requests, not just raw traffic.
How does Mesh of Growth fit with other platforms?
Use Mesh for compounding reviews and backlinks while other platforms provide short-term spikes.
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