The second you mention your idea, people start trying to be helpful by being nice. Instead of saying, "I'm building an app for X, what do you think?", try asking, "How do you currently handle X?". If they don't already have a solution—even a clunky one like a spreadsheet—they probably don't have a real problem. 2. Specifics Over Hypotheses
You have a "million-dollar" idea. You run it by your friends, your colleagues, and even your mom. They all say the same thing: "That's amazing! I’d definitely buy that." The Mom Test
Talk less and listen more. The 3 Rules to Stop Getting Lied To 1. Stop Pitching, Start Investigating The second you mention your idea, people start
Humans are terrible at predicting their own future behavior. Never ask, "Would you use this?" or "How much would you pay?" These are hypothetical questions that lead to "fluff". They all say the same thing: "That's amazing
According to Unusual Ventures , the "test" consists of three simple rules:
The problem isn't that your idea is bad; it’s that you asked the wrong questions. You asked for opinions, and people—especially your mom—will lie to you to protect your feelings. What is The Mom Test?
You feel invincible. You spend six months building, thousands on development, and then... Nobody buys it. LinkedIn reviewers highlight this as the classic "false positive" trap that Rob Fitzpatrick’s book, The Mom Test , aims to solve.