North star metric selection

A North Star metric is the single measurement that best captures the core value your product delivers to customers. For Spotify, it's time spent listening. For Airbnb, it's nights booked. For Slack, it's messages sent within teams.

The best North Star metrics balance customer value with business growth.^[1] They're leading indicators that predict long-term success, not just short-term wins. A good North Star metric should be simple to understand, measurable daily, and directly influenced by product changes.

Choosing the wrong North Star can misguide your entire product strategy. Facebook famously shifted from "time spent" to "meaningful social interactions" when they realized endless scrolling wasn't creating value. Your North Star should reflect what makes customers genuinely successful with your product.