“Free users don't actually validate your product — they will just consume it and if something doesn't work they will just ghost you. Paid customers, because they have put real money in, will tell you exactly what is broken.”

Paying customers give brutal feedback; free users ghost

Devin pushes back on 'just give it away for feedback' advice. Of his 250+ LTD buyers, only ~10% became active long-term users but those gave brutally honest, unfiltered feedback over Intercom — some even tracked down team members directly. Real money in the door buys you real signal back out.