“Have you told anyone about us yet? Who, and what did you say?”
From getuserfeedback.com · Editorial
Why it works
Stated intent to recommend is weak; an actual recommendation already made is strong. Asking whether they have *already* told someone converts a hypothetical into a behavioral fact, and the follow-up — who, and what they said — is the real prize: it hands you the exact segment that spreads the product and the precise words that resonate, unfiltered by your own positioning. A 'no, not yet' is just as informative: it marks the gap between satisfaction and advocacy you have not yet closed.
When to ask
For engaged users who have had time to form an opinion and an occasion to share it — well past activation, typically among repeat or long-tenured users.
Good follow-ups
- What made you bring it up with them specifically?
- How did you describe what it does, in your own words?
- If you haven't yet — what's stopped you, or who would you tell first?
Watch out for
Treating a 'no' as failure and moving on. The reason behind the 'no' ('I would, but it's hard to explain what it does') is often the most actionable insight in the whole survey. Also resist supplying the words for them — their phrasing is the data, not yours.
Where to ask
- In-product surveygreat
Best as an in-product prompt to engaged, long-tenured users — it converts a stated intent into a behavioral fact you can act on.
- Sales callworkable
Useful on a renewal or advocacy call to surface references in their own words; live, a polite 'no' is easy to gloss past.
Pairs well with
Stage: Advocacy · May 2026