Social Proof: How Customers Get Inspired, With 12 Real-Life Examples and Best Practices

Social proof plays a crucial role in influencing customer behavior. See 12 ways customers can get inspired to make a purchase from you.

The cover of Antavo’s article about social proof.

Imagine you’re shopping for a new coffee machine. You’ve found three that you love, based on the pictures alone. One has over 600 reviews with an average rating of 4.7 stars. The second has 130 reviews and a 3 star rating. The third has no reviews. Which one do you buy? Of course, you’re drawn to the coffee machine with over 600 satisfied customers.

Why is this? Social proof, also known as social influence, is the psychological and social phenomenon that makes us imitate the actions of others in order to behave correctly. 

Ok, that sounded pretty scientific, right? In fact, you experience social proof whenever you find yourself scrolling through Instagram looking at the latest fashion trends, or when you choose a busy clothing store over the quiet competitor next door.

You can also read our definitive guide to learn how a loyalty program can help you generate social proof.

A banner recommending to download Antavo’s ‘The Definitive Guide to Creating a Successful Loyalty Program’ ebook

What Is Social Proof?

Social proof is a psychological phenomenon that refers to people’s tendency to rely on the actions and opinions of others when making decisions, especially in uncertain or ambiguous situations. It plays a significant role in influencing customer loyalty in several ways:

  • Trust and credibility: When customers see others positively engaging with a brand or expressing satisfaction, it creates a sense of reassurance and confidence, inevitably leading to increased trust.
  • Validation and conformity: If customers see that a large number of people are using a particular product or service, they are more likely to perceive it as popular and desirable.
  • Reduced decision-making uncertainty: Customers are often overwhelmed with choices, which makes decision-making a challenge. Social proof helps alleviate this uncertainty by providing a reference point.
  • Emotional connection: When individuals identify with a community of like-minded people who share positive experiences and loyalty towards a brand, it fosters a sense of belonging and attachment. This emotional connection encourages customers to stay loyal and maintain a long-term relationship with the brand.
  • Influencer marketing and UGC: When influential individuals or trusted peers endorse a product or share their experiences with it, their followers are more likely to follow suit. 

How to Leverage Social Proof

Social proof isn’t a mysterious psychological tactic to persuade shoppers to choose your products or services. It’s a simple fact that shoppers use ratings and reviews, photos of other customers, and real-time trends to make purchase decisions.

That’s why online retailers put significant effort into encouraging customers to review their products; it serves as a powerful form of social proof that greatly boosts the number of people who make purchases. 

Here are 12 ways you can take advantage of social proof, which I hope will inspire you to introduce it in your own business.

1. Encourage user-generated content

Sharing user-generated content is the perfect strategy for industries driven by visual trends. Loyal customers often become the brand’s best marketers by offering up the latest looks and styles on social media, inspiring their peers. Social feeds can increase click-throughs from emails and product listing pages by highlighting the latest trends. Photos of real customers increase engagement on product pages by helping shoppers imagine how they will look and feel when they wear your brand. This is a major win for customers who would ideally prefer trying an item before buying it.

Members of the Beauty Insider Community can chat with each other, join challenges, and share experiences.
A great example of UGC is Sephora’s Beauty Insider Community, which has more than 5 million members. Customers can create their profile, upload photos, and share beauty advice, inspiration, news, and recommendations with real people in real time. (Source
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: User-generated reviews can help you to build brand awareness during the research stage. In fact, it’s one of the most effective ways to do so. Encourage your customers to share their photos by rewarding them with an extra discount on their next purchase.

2. Use popularity messaging

We desire items more when they are popular or scarce – a phenomenon known as fear of missing out (FOMO). Marketers can easily leverage this by using real-time stock levels that let shoppers know when an item is running out. A similar result can be achieved by showing how often an item has been purchased or viewed recently. This simultaneously taps into consumers’ FOMO (“What if the product sells out before I have a chance to buy it?”) and the desire to follow a consensus (“Other people are buying it, so it must be good!”).

Nelly.com uses social proof messaging to make product detail pages more compelling.
“Less than three in stock” – Nelly.com uses social proof messaging to make product detail pages more compelling.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Make sure your product or service is positioned as limited in quantity or available for a limited time, in order to enhance the fear of missing out. 

3. Share ratings and reviews

For shoppers, customer ratings and reviews are an indispensable part of the purchase process. 95% of consumers read online reviews before they shop, while more than half find star ratings useful. Only product details and shipping information were ranked as more useful. A variety of platforms are available to help brands collect authentic ratings and reviews from confirmed purchasers. This is a great way to stay on a shopper’s radar and boost loyalty by showing that you value their feedback. 

FatFace combines ratings and reviews with additional product information to give customers more context.
FatFace combines ratings and reviews with additional product information to enhance the customer experience. Since customers online can’t touch or try on clothing like they can in store, authentic reviews on product pages help reduce uncertainty and increase conversions.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Once you collect ratings and reviews, you can use them in email and web content to encourage engagement at each stage of the customer journey.

4. Collect testimonials 

Testimonials are a form of social proof, where satisfied customers share their positive experiences with a product or service. By showcasing testimonials, brands build trust and credibility, with the goal of encouraging potential customers to make a purchase. Customer feedback is a vote of confidence in the product’s value. All kinds of testimonials have the same impact, they create positive feedback from actual users. By showcasing these testimonials, brands aim to build trust and credibility, ultimately encouraging potential customers to make a purchase. 

Procter & Gamble has an array of video testimonials on their website.
Procter & Gamble has an array of video testimonials on their website, where real people share their stories to demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of the company’s products.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Feature customer testimonials in your ad campaigns and highlight how your product or service has improved your customers’ lives and productivity.

5. Create case studies

One great way to showcase satisfied customers is by writing a case study about their experience with your business. Case studies are especially effective if your company offers marketing B2B software or agency services, etc. Case studies are great social proof because they provide detailed and specific examples of how a product or service has benefited real customers. They provide information about the customer’s situation, the challenges they faced, and how the product or service helped them overcome those challenges. This tangible evidence makes the claims more believable and relatable.

Antavo’s case study about KFC UK & Ireland’s KFC Rewards Arcade not only shows the technology and how the loyalty program helped solve KFC’s challenges, but also includes metrics on the results it has achieved so far.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Feature customer testimonials in your ad campaigns and highlight how your product or service has improved your customers’ lives and productivity.

6. Leverage existing customers and clients

When potential customers see that existing customers and clients are willing to publicly endorse a product or service, it instills trust and credibility. It signals that real people have had positive experiences and are willing to vouch for the quality and value of the offering.

Existing customers and clients can also serve as relatable figures for potential customers. They may share similar needs, challenges, or goals, and seeing others with similar profiles benefiting from the product or service can help prospects relate to the success stories. This relatability encourages potential customers to believe that they, too, can achieve similar outcomes.

Displaying Antavo’s clients.
Displaying existing customers and clients as social proof taps into this innate desire for social validation. When potential customers see that others have chosen a product or service and are satisfied with it, it makes them feel like it is a wise decision to follow suit.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Make sure to encourage word-of-mouth by highlighting satisfied customers’ positive experiences not only on your website, but your social media platforms as well.

7. Encourage influencer marketing campaigns

People follow influencers because they like seeing what kinds of products and services these content creators wear, use and love. Influencers have built a loyal following and established trust with their audience. When an influencer promotes a product or service, their followers perceive it as a genuine recommendation from someone they trust. The influencer’s credibility transfers to the brand, making the social proof more convincing and increasing the likelihood of potential customers trusting and considering the endorsed product.

Simply Be’s loyalty program is an example of building loyalty among brand ambassadors.
Using its loyalty program as a networking point, Simply Be invites influencers to take part in various commercials and events, including a runway show on the program’s first anniversary – further strengthening brand engagement in the process.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Through captivating storytelling, influencers can effectively convey the benefits and value of the product. Encourage influencers to promote your product and raise brand awareness by offering various incentives, like extra discounts or invitations to special events.

8. Backing it up with metrics 

Data and numbers provide objective evidence of a product or service’s success. They offer measurable results and outcomes that are difficult to dispute. When potential customers see concrete data indicating positive outcomes, it adds credibility to the social proof and enhances their trust in the product or service. Metrics quantify the impact or results achieved by previous customers or users, making the social proof more tangible and relatable. Specific numbers help potential customers understand the potential benefits or value they can expect.

Buffer using the “X customers served” style of social proof.
Buffer uses the “X customers served” style of social proof to encourage conversions, alongside some other impressive numbers such as blog readers and social followers.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Identify the key metrics and data points that are most relevant and meaningful to your audience. These could include customer satisfaction ratings, sales figures, statistics on user growth, etc. You can also use this data to compare your product or service against your competitors or industry benchmarks. 

9. Celebrity endorsements

Celebrities have a significant influence on consumer behavior and trends. They also often embody qualities that fans aspire to have or emulate. Their large following and popularity make their endorsements highly visible and impactful. When a celebrity promotes a product, it reaches a wide audience, and their influence can sway the opinions and decisions of their fans and followers.

Fitbit showing off when a celebrity endorses their product.
Fitbit is not afraid to show off when a celebrity endorses their product. Fans may believe that using the same product will help them achieve a similar lifestyle, appearance, or success as their favorite celebrity. This aspirational association can be a strong motivator for consumers to purchase the endorsed product.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Choose celebrities who align with your brand, target audience, and industry. Collaborate on content creation, social media campaigns, or events where the celebrity can actively participate and showcase their personal experience with your brand.

10. “Wisdom of the crowd”

People tend to follow the actions and choices of others, especially when they are uncertain or lack information. “Wisdom of the crowd” capitalizes on this bandwagon effect, where the positive actions or choices of a large group can influence others to join in. When potential customers see that many others have chosen and are satisfied with a product or service, they may feel compelled to follow suit.

Netflix takes advantage of user trends by suggesting new TV and movie options based on popularity.
Netflix takes advantage of user trends by suggesting new TV and movie options based on popularity. This clever use of social proof is a great retention strategy that helps keep people binge-watching instead of navigating away when they finish a movie or season. (Source)
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Provide easy-to-use platforms or tools for customers to submit reviews. Implement rating systems, such as star ratings or numerical scores, for your products or services. Aggregate these ratings to display an average or overall score. Clearly show the rating or score on relevant pages or alongside product listings. This summary provides a quick snapshot of customer satisfaction and acts as social proof.

11. “Wisdom of your friends”

Most people trust their friends’ and family’s opinion more than any kind of paid advertisement. When our friends recommend or endorse a product or service, we tend to trust their judgment more than a general marketing message. We value their opinions and experiences because we have a pre-existing relationship with them, which makes their recommendations highly influential.

Lillydoo’s loyalty program encourages friend referrals.
Lillydoo is a monthly subscription-based baby care products company that not only rewards its customers when they order but also rewards them outside of the buying cycle. Customers who have an active subscription can invite up to 10 friends, and Lillydoo offers them 15 EUR per successfully referred friend.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Encourage customers to invite like-minded friends and family members to make a purchase in your store. Show how much you value their contribution and let them know they are a key part of your success by rewarding them with special benefits.

12. Show off awards and accolades

In a crowded marketplace, awards and accolades can help a brand stand out from its competitors. By showcasing specific honors and highlighting what sets them apart, the brand can differentiate itself and position its offerings as superior. This differentiation can influence potential customers to choose the brand over its competitors, as they perceive the brand as being recognized for its exceptional qualities or achievements.

Fitbit displays all of their awards and recognition on their website.
Fitbit nailed social proof in this case as well. By displaying the awards and recognition they have received on their website, they are proving that they’re a brand worth purchasing from.
Icon for the "Infoblock" section of Antavo's article.

Best practice: Displaying your prestigious ranking or accolades in your industry is an effective way to communicate that your business is renowned for its exceptional quality and achievements.

Scalable Marketing That Improves Customer Experience

Overall, social proof is a vital factor in shaping customer loyalty. Companies looking to leverage social proof don’t necessarily have to rely on expensive influencer marketing campaigns. Scalable tactics such as customer reviews, user-generated content and popularity messaging are cost-effective ways to engage new customers and drive customer loyalty.

To stand out from the competition, brands should understand the types of social proof tactics available and map them to customer insights in order to identify what will be most effective in meeting consumer expectations. 

Meanwhile if you need assistance in creating a loyalty program that encourages friend referrals and word-of-mouth, our experts are more than happy to discuss your options with you. Just book a demo or include us in your RFP.

A banner recommending to download Antavo’s ‘The Definitive Guide to Creating a Successful Loyalty Program’ ebook
Headshot of Barbara Kekes-Szabo Loyalty Program Specialist at Antavo

Barbara Kekes-Szabo

Barbara is a Loyalty Program Specialist at Antavo and a Certified Loyalty Marketing Professional - CLMP. She is also a writing expert with several years of experience in marketing and also in the information technology industry. In her free time she likes traveling the world, reading crime stories, and doing crossword puzzles.

You might also like

The cover image for Antavo’s article on social retail.
Articles by Barbara Kekes-Szabo • November 16, 2023 • 15 min read

Social Retail: A Tech-Savvy Form of Word-of-Mouth

Give your company a competitive edge. Use social retail to boost customer loyalty and turn your shoppers into lifelong fans and advocates.

The cover image for Antavo’s article on why word-of-mouth marketing is still important in 2024
Articles by Zsuzsanna Ban • February 1, 2024 • 13 min read

Why Is Word-of-Mouth Marketing Still Important in 2024?

Word-of-mouth marketing helps you build trust and harness cost-effective promotion. Learn about the power of social connectivity in 2024.

The cover image of Antavo's Retail Loyalty Programs Guide.
Guides by Andy Nemes • January 17, 2023 • 27 min read

7 Retail Loyalty Program Strategies to Reach Higher KPIs (Guide)

Based on real-life examples, these 7 unique strategies for retail loyalty programs will help your brand stand out and impress brick-and-mortar customers.