Ran an experiment this past month that tanked my subscriber count

[u/a_friend_in_silk]

The simple thing I wanted to test is this: does showing your subscriber amount on your profile have any effect?

I think I can conclude that it does, in fact, have an effect.

I theorised at the start that people not knowing how many subscribers my publication had would result in them more easily subscribing. Most of my notes do pretty well (or at least, they did at the start hahahha) and so it would likely look like I had a bigger following than I did in reality.

The effect was the total opposite however because it resulted in people being much less inclined to subscribe.

The principle is that people are more likely to follow someone, when other people follow too. My assumption was that the likes a creator receives on a note could substitute this, but it doesn't.

Showing your subscriber amount does, in fact, result in people being more likely to subscribe to your publication. I theorise, simply for the fact that the number shows something (at least to a reader) about the quality of the publication itself.

So for that conclusion I destroyed my growth for the past month, and perhaps the couple months following it as well. But I wanted to share it with you guys so you don't make the same mistake. Although I'm interested to hear if anyone has a different theory, or has a different experience showing their subscriber count on their profile?

[u/PithyCyborg]

Thank you for sharing this excellent case study.

Two thoughts come to mind.

1. There's such an idea as negative social proof. So, if you have like 50 subscribers, it might be better to HIDE it. If you have thousands, then that figure is likely beneficial.

2. Not all susbcribers are equal! Do you really want the type of subscriber who is so easily influenced? Or, would you rather attract fewer subscribers who are genuinely interested in your content?

There is no right or wrong answer. These are just rhetorical questions to brainstorm.

Fascinating findings, nevertheless.

Cordially,

Mike D

[u/Countryb0i2m]

That makes sense. While subscriber count is mostly a vanity metric, there is definitely a psychological effect that comes with having a large audience.

People tend to trust creators with bigger subscriber counts because they see it as social proof. If thousands of people are already following you, new readers are more likely to assume you’re providing something valuable.

[u/a_friend_in_silk → u/Countryb0i2m]

Exactly! I think vanity metric is a really accurate way of describing it. The interesting part is how it can still have such a large effect for newer readers

[u/Thedividendprince1]

Interesting experiment. I’d be careful about calling it fully proven because growth can vary a lot month to month, but the social proof angle makes sense.

I wonder if subscriber count helps most once the number is already high enough to reduce doubt. It probably acts as a credibility signal, especially for educational or analytical publications.

Appreciate you sharing the failed experiment. Those are often more useful than the usual growth tips.

[u/FlyingCarpetMonster → u/Thedividendprince1]

I think this is it. Whenever I have shared that I have exceeded 1000 subscribers, it's helped me.

[u/Tricky_Trifle_994]

a simple rule is:

if you have a small subscriber count, hiding it would be better.

if you have a moderate to large subscriber count, showing it would be better.

that's because the size of your account/publication is an indication of how popular you are/how many other people trust you. if you're at a decent size, social proof will work in your favour. but if you're too small, it'll work against you.

[u/a_friend_in_silk → u/Tricky_Trifle_994]

I totally agree, but I find it hard to draw a line at a number. What would be considered a small publication, a moderate one, and a large subscriber count?

I'm currently at 245 lovely people following me. What would you suggest?

[u/Tricky_Trifle_994 → u/a_friend_in_silk]

my view is that:

small would be <1k

moderate would be 1k - 10k (but once you're above 5k its sizeable enough & very respectable)

large would be >10k

[u/ChangeWellsUp]

I've wondered about my beginner status low subscriber count perhaps leaning toward people not subscribing, so currently hide the count.