You’re about to buy a new product online. What’s the first thing you do?
If you’re like 92% of consumers, you check the reviews. Why?
Because social proof is the silent force that shapes our decisions, even when we don’t realize it.
In this article, we’ll uncover 30+ eye-opening social proof statistics that reveal just how powerful social proof is.
Here are two of our own research studies on social proof notifications.
Since joining WiserNotify, our communication leads have increased by 18% in three months.
Check them out if you’re interested in understanding how social proof impacts online consumer behavior.
Top Highlights
Most people (88%) like companies that reply to their reviews
Almost everyone (92%) trusts what their friends say, and many (70%) trust what strangers say.
Most shopping (87%) starts with looking up stuff online first.
Nearly everyone (97%) says online reviews help them decide what to buy.
Sales pages sell 34% more when they have testimonials (people saying good things).
Over half (56%) of American social media users feel FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).
Recent booking social proof widgets have been shown to increase conversions by 18%.
Good reviews make people spend 31% more money.
Most people (83%) think reviews older than three months aren’t helpful anymore.
Sales-based social proof notifications boost website conversions by 98%.
Showing customer reviews makes online shopping better, increasing purchases by 67%.
Products with 5 or more reviews are 270% more likely to be bought than those with no reviews.
Social Proof Benefits
Inspire Trust: Social proof provides unbiased opinions from industry experts and other customers, reassuring customers that the product/service is trustworthy.
Build Brand Reputation: With more social proof in case studies, reviews, and testimonials, companies are more credible than those with less social proof.
Increase Site Traffic: Social proof attracts customers towards them. Promoting or sharing your testimonials, reviews, case studies, media mentions, and other social proof influences customers to visit the site.
Boost Conversions: Without social proof, your website will not convert your visitors and can impact your conversions. Social proof can grow your business by increasing the chances of your conversion rate.
Improve Brand Reputation: Social proof can develop a positive impression of your brand if your brand sells products/services to the local or international market.
Let’s look at different types of Social Proof that can benefit you and build customer trust.
1. Customer Reviews
People read reviews first before making any decision to purchase.
Reviews differ from other types of social proof because true customers write them more accurately and unfiltered.
2. User Generate Content
User-generated content is original, brand-specific content created by customers and published on social platforms or other channels.
It can be in any form, from videos, images, texts, or even podcasts.
3. Case Studies
Case studies in social proof help build trust among customers, creating positive outcomes that demonstrate how your brand brought results for your customers or how your product solved a problem for them.
4. Celebrity and Influencers Endorsement
Getting your products featured or endorsed by Celebrities or top influencers is another effective social proof technique.
Celebrities and influencers can influence customers’ buying decisions.
5. Product Badging
Product badges are stickers added to online product images that grab customers’ attention.
For example – best-sold products, best-seller products, new-release products, and many more.
Now, Let’s dive into some examples of Social Proof Statistics in Different niches
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1. Social Proof Statistics for E-commerce
Understand why e-commerce businesses should focus on Social Proof using some statistics.
Percentage of consumers who rely on social proof before making a purchase
1. According to a survey by Nosto, 86% of consumers said that authenticity is a crucial factor when deciding which brands to support, and 60% said that user-generated content (UGC) is the most authentic form of content.
2. A study by PowerReviews found that 95% of consumers consult customer reviews before making a purchase, and 86% consider reviews to be an essential resource when making buying decisions.
3. A survey conducted by TINT reveals that 75% of consumers look for reviews and testimonials before making any purchase from an online store, and 72% of consumers find customer-submitted reviews and testimonials more trustworthy than brands discussing their own products.
4. Encourage your customers to share real product photos in their reviews because, according to a TINT study, 72% of consumers trust images other customers share more than stock photography.
Social proof in e-commerce can be a great way to attract customers and influence their purchasing decisions.
Percentage increase in sales when the social proof is displayed
What happens to sales when social proof comes into play?
Let’s take a look at some numbers:
5. A study by ConversionXL found that adding customer reviews to an e-commerce site can increase sales by up to 18%.
6. According to a study by Spiegel Research Center, displaying reviews can increase conversion rates by up to 270%.
7. Another study by Bazaarvoice found that products with reviews have a 12.5% higher conversion rate than those without reviews.
8. A survey by BrightLocal found that 91% of consumers between the ages of 18-34 trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations and that 57% of consumers will only buy or use a business if it has at least a 4-star rating.
This data demonstrates that social proof is a strong ally in boosting sales.
Percentage of consumers who trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations
9. According to a study by Podium, 93% of consumers say that online reviews impact their purchasing decisions.
10. A survey by BrightLocal in 2021 found that 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses and 79% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations.
11. A study by Nielsen found that 92% of consumers trust earned media (such as word-of-mouth recommendations and online reviews) more than any other form of advertising.
This information indicates that online reviews hold considerable weight in consumers’ purchasing decisions.
The impact of social proof on cart abandonment rates
Social proof can play a role in reducing cart abandonment rates by building trust. Here’s what the statistics say:
12. A study by Baymard Institute found that cart abandonment rates can be as high as 69.57% and that trust issues are among the top reasons consumers abandon their carts.
13. 91% of consumers say reading online reviews is essential when making a purchase decision, and 65% say that seeing user-generated content (such as customer photos and videos) helps build trust.
14. Another study by Yotpo found that displaying user-generated content on product pages can increase conversion rates by up to 166% and decrease cart abandonment rates by up to 2.5%.
Must Look: Cart Abandonment Statistics: $18 Billion in Annual Losses
These statistics emphasize the importance of social proof in building trust and reducing cart abandonment rates.
Consumers are encouraged to complete their purchases when customer reviews and user-generated content are displayed.
The growth of an eCommerce business depends upon the number of visitors converted to visiting the shop offline or online.
Every day, new online shop popups increase the competition and attract customers to buy from your store.
So how do you do it?
Using Social Proof.
You should know these popup statistics before using the popups.
Take a sneak peek at these big Ecom brands that use social proof
(Source: Casper)
Here’s an example from Casper, a brand that sells everything to help you sleep better.
The brand shows reviews and star ratings for every product, which helps them build customer trust.
Their carousel is featured prominently on their homepage, which customers can browse for reviews and ratings for different products.
Social Proof Notification & Reviews (Source: Creative Dukaan)
Another example is Creative Dukaan, an eCommerce website that sells creative design things like Laptop sleeve bags, laptop skins, T-shirts, Notebooks, Mousepads, and many more to customers.
Creative Dukaan uses carousel-featured review systems and the social proof notification solution that can help build trust, influence buyers, and improve their conversion rate.
Dig deeper here: 100+ ECommerce Statistics & Trends
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2. Social Proof Stats for Coaching
Let’s check out some statistics to make it look more relevant.
15. A case study found that including customer testimonials on a Landing Page can increase conversions by up to 34%.
16. Another study by BrightLocal found that 82% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses.
These statistics suggest social proof is a game-changer in online coaching.
Students or customers can be influenced to enroll in the course by reading about the positive experiences of their ex-students.
Your social proof becomes your sales advocate.
With the highly competitive online courses, influencing students to enroll in your online course becomes more difficult.
How do you make more students enroll?
How do we make our course stand out?
These questions give you stress every day.
Well, the answer can be – Social Proof.
That can help you differentiate from competitors, improve credibility, build trust, and increase sales.
Here are examples of Coaches using social proof to attract and influence the audience
(Source: Creative Live)
Here’s an example from one of the courses on Creative Live.
They have used ratings and reviews from their clients showing the experience and results after finishing the course.
(Source: The Online Dog Trainer)
Another example from The Online Dog Trainer is that it offers home-study courses and physical training products for dog owners to train their dogs and puppies.
They have a dedicated page for the reviews and a popup notification to create FOMO among the newcomers.
3. Social Proof Stats for Travel and Hospitality
Let’s check out some.
17. 95% of travelers read reviews before booking a trip.
18. 53% of travelers wouldn’t book a hotel without reviews.
19. 78% of travelers focus on the most recent online reviews listed.
20. 58% of consumers pay more when they see good customer reviews.
21. 72% of respondents always or frequently read reviews before deciding where to stay and eat.
22. 52% of customers never book a hotel that has zero reviews.
These stats are the proof on the wall—social proof is the secret sauce in the travel and hospitality realm.
Today, all travelers read reviews before they book accommodation on significant sites like TripAdvisor, forums, and even social platforms.
While firming up plans, many travelers also visit hotel websites to conduct some research and check rates.
However, while many hotels spend time improving customer experience and their services, they neglect collecting testimonials and reviews, which is a significant missed opportunity.
Travel and Hospitality Examples With Social Proof
(Source: Trip Advisor)
Here’s an example from Trip Advisor, a well-known travel platform that helps customers build the best trip.
Trip Advisor has added ratings and testimonials to every category to help customers make informed decisions.
It also helps them build customer trust by ensuring that reviews are genuine and helpful.
(Source: Booking.com)
Here’s another example from Booking.com, a travel company that connects travelers with memorable experiences through a variety of hotel and place options.
It shows different categories of reviews based on staff, cleanliness, comfort, location, and many more.
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4. Social Proof Stats for Real Estate
Here are some Social Proof Statistics for real estate.
23. A National Association of Realtors survey found that 89% of buyers said they would use their agent again or recommend them to others if they had a positive experience.
24. A study by BrightLocal found that 76% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses, including real estate agents and agencies.
25. According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, 49% of home buyers found their property online, while 28% of buyers found their home through a real estate agent.
26. 73% of homeowners would likely list with an agent who offers to create a video for them.
These statistics underscore the importance of social proof and visual content in real estate.
By leveraging social proof and incorporating visual elements, you can enhance visibility, build trust, and cultivate repeat business and referrals.
The real estate industry is highly competitive, and building trust & credibility is much more difficult than before.
Traditional marketing methods are losing their effectiveness, while social proof has emerged as a powerful tool for real estate showcasing your proof of work.
Must Read: 11 Best Social Proof Tools (Free and Paid)
This one also: How to Use Social Proof Tools to Boost Sales
You might get referrals from friends and family, but what if they Google you for reviews?
Online reviews can help you grow and win some new customers as well.
Real Estate Examples With Social Proof
(Source: 99Acres)
Here’s an example from 99Acress, a property dealing site helping customers find, buy, and rent commercial and residential properties.
It shows society reviews like amenities, management, connectivity, construction, and others to build customer trust.
It also adds actual recommendations from the residents with filters of newest, negative, and recommended.
(Source: Magic Bricks)
Another example is from Magic Bricks, which also deals in commercial, residential, and other properties for customers to sell, rent, and buy.
The reviews showcase all the required information, keeping it transparent for the customers and building trust.
5. Social Proof Stats for SaaS Product
Let’s check out some social proof statistics.
27. 92% of B2B buyers are more likely to purchase after reading a trusted review.
28. 50% of consumers visit a company’s website after reading positive reviews.
These show how Social Proof can change the game for the SaaS product and increase sales for them.
The buyer’s journey is complex; social proof proves that people use and like your product.
This encourages people to sign up and buy your product, which helps to grow your business and build positive experiences to influence potential customers’ decisions.
The testimonials from satisfied customers can help potential buyers understand the value and benefits of the SaaS product.
Here are some benefits of SaaS brands using Social proof in their business.
SaaS Products Examples With Social Proof
(Source: Custify)
Custify has added social proof to its homepage.
Just below the CTA, it shows the customer ratings received on G2 and Capterra, while as you scroll down, you can see written customer testimonials that improve trust among customers.
Further, it has also added a list of awards it received, showing that it’s one of the best SaaS products.
Another example is WiserNotify; as you scroll just below the CTA on the homepage, it has added some reviews from top sites like Capterra, G2, Shopify, Wix, and WordPress, building trust among the customers.
As you scroll a bit, you can find the Customer testimonial, further influencing customers to make purchases and get those fantastic results.
6. Social Proof Stats for Entertainment Sites
Let’s check out some fantastic Social Proof Statistics.
29. 60% of consumers seek information before deciding to watch the content.
30. 80% of film viewers will consult critics’ reviews when considering what to watch.
31. 8 out of 10 people love to share TV shows and movie recommendations.
That shows how important ratings and reviews are for the Entertainment industry.
Do you want the box office performance of your movie, or do you want to improve the number of people watching your series on the OTT platform?
Social Proof can significantly influence a viewer’s decision to watch a series or attend an event.
For example, the testimonials from satisfied customers or attendees demonstrate the value of your event.
Entertainment Sites Examples With Social Proof
(Source: Book My Show)
Book My Show is a booking site that allows users to book movie tickets, events, streams, sports, and many more. It shows reviews for each movie, event, or other entertaining thing that builds customers’ trust and influences them to book a ticket, creating FOMO among them. 
Here’s another example from ZEE5. ZEE5 provides personalized recommendations by analyzing your past watch history.
7. Social Proof Stats for Landing Page
Let’s check some Social Proof Statistics for Landing Pages.
32. 67% of consumers trust endorsements from unbiased experts.
33. Consumers spend 31% more with favorable reviews.
That makes social proof essential to display on Landing pages.
A high-converting landing page can get you a high conversion rate when filled with social proof.
People are much more likely to get converted on your landing page if they believe others have bought your products or services.
Social proofs such as testimonials, reviews, and partner logos can quickly and effectively build credibility and improve conversion rates.
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Landing Page Examples With Social Proof
(Source: Slack)
Also See: Top Social Proof Landing Page Strategies with Examples
Slack is a well-known messaging app for businesses that connects people to the information they need.
It constantly optimizes for conversions and stands apart. It has used the logos of its brand partners or customers, which builds customer trust and improves conversion.
(Source: Brevo)
Here is another example from Brevo, a CRM suite designed fully to cultivate long-term customer relationships.
The landing page shows achievements and awards that build trust among the customers.
In addition, it shows ratings they got on different platforms like Trustpilot, Capterra, and G2 that influence customers to take the desired action.
Wrap up
Social proof existed long before online reviews and social media were exciting.
It has the extremely powerful benefits of building trust, improving conversion, and influencing customers’ decisions.
The concept of social proof influences people in different industries, from B2B and SaaS to entertainment and travel.
It is a psychological marketing tactic that shows customers that others have a positive experience working with your business.
It helps to build trust and create a FOMO among the customers.
Must Read: 10 Best FOMO Marketing Examples To Drive Sales in 2024
Brands should understand the types of social proof tactics available to stand out from their competitors.
Try out WiserNotify to boost the power of Social proof.
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Statistics Sources
Brightlocal | Sweetiq | Tripadvisor | Trustyou | Prnewswire | Realtor | Propertiesonline.com | Nielsen | G2 | Businessinsider | Wired | Relevance | Spiegel Research Center | Discoveryhub | VWO | Yotpo | Bymard Institute | Podium | Bazaarvoice | CXL | Tintup | Powerreviews | Statista
