What is it?

The Mom Test is a straight-talk interviewing technique from Rob Fitzpatrick that helps you extract real user insights without bias or fluff.

It's designed around one principle: ask questions so good even your mom can't lie to protect your feelings. By focusing on concrete past behaviors, specific pain points, and measurable commitments, rather than hypotheticals or compliments, you force conversations into honest territory. This method solves the classic ‘sweet‐talk syndrome' where interviewees tell you what you want to hear. Instead, The Mom Test equips you with three core rules: talk about their life, not your idea; ask for specifics, not opinions; and listen for real commitments over polite promises.

If you're building a product based on wishful thinking, this framework is your guardrail against building for ghosts.

Why it matters?

Cutting through polite feedback slashes wasted dev cycles and skyrockets your product-market fit. By uncovering real pain points and true buying signals, you fast-track your roadmap with validated bets, boosting conversion rates, retention, and ultimately growth.

How it works

Growth co-pilot turns your toughest product questions into clear, data-backed recommendations you can act on immediately.

Frame open-ended, behavior-focused questions

Start by steering clear of your idea. Ask about real stories and past behaviors, ‘Tell me about the last time you…', so you get concrete examples.

Avoid leading or hypothetical prompts

Don't ask “Would you use X?” Instead say “Walk me through how you handled X last time.” This stops people from serving you polished predictions.

Drill into specifics

they mention a problem, follow up with questions like “When was the last time that happened?” or “How much did it cost you?” Details reveal the true severity of the pain.

Listen for commitment and money

Gauge real interest by probing for commitments, time, referrals, or budget. If they're willing to invest, you've uncovered a genuine opportunity.

Summarize and validate

After the interview, distill your notes into clear problem statements and validation signals. Look for patterns across multiple chats to prioritize your next steps.

Frequently asked questions

Growth co-pilot turns your toughest product questions into clear, data-backed recommendations you can act on immediately.

What makes The Mom Test different from regular customer interviews?

It forces you to ask about real past behavior and measurable commitments instead of vague opinions or compliments, so you avoid biased or overly polite responses.

What makes The Mom Test different from regular customer interviews?

It forces you to ask about real past behavior and measurable commitments instead of vague opinions or compliments, so you avoid biased or overly polite responses.

How do I avoid leading questions during interviews?

Frame every question around their life and experiences. Replace “Would you use X?” with “How did you solve X last time?” to elicit honest stories instead of wishful answers.

How do I avoid leading questions during interviews?

Frame every question around their life and experiences. Replace “Would you use X?” with “How did you solve X last time?” to elicit honest stories instead of wishful answers.

Can I apply The Mom Test to surveys or only live interviews?

While it shines in conversations, you can use its principles in surveys: focus on specific actions, ask for real examples, and avoid hypothetical scales or yes/no traps.

Can I apply The Mom Test to surveys or only live interviews?

While it shines in conversations, you can use its principles in surveys: focus on specific actions, ask for real examples, and avoid hypothetical scales or yes/no traps.

How many interviews do I need to get reliable data?

Aim for at least 15–20 interviews to spot clear patterns. You'll know you've done enough when new chats stop uncovering unique pain points or features.

How many interviews do I need to get reliable data?

Aim for at least 15–20 interviews to spot clear patterns. You'll know you've done enough when new chats stop uncovering unique pain points or features.

What if interviewees give vague or evasive answers?

Push for clarity by asking follow-ups: “Can you walk me through that exact moment?” or “Why was that important to you?” If they still dodge, it likely isn't a real pain.

What if interviewees give vague or evasive answers?

Push for clarity by asking follow-ups: “Can you walk me through that exact moment?” or “Why was that important to you?” If they still dodge, it likely isn't a real pain.

You've extracted honest user insights, now supercharge them. Push your top problem statements into CrackGrowth's Opportunity Discovery to pinpoint experiments that unlock serious traction.

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