Red flags and green flags for idea validation (after working with 40+ founders)

i have helped a lot of founders validate ideas. like 40+ in last 3 years. and ive noticed clear patterns between the ones whos ideas actually survive and the ones who crash.

most founders dont know what they are looking for when they validate. they just talk to people and hope for the best lol.

but there are actual signs. red flags that scream your idea is in trouble. and green flags that mean you are on the right track.

heres what i have learned.

RED FLAGS:

people say they love your idea but seem hesitant. watch their tone not their words. hesitation = they are being nice.

everyone gives you wildly different feedback. means your idea is too vague or you're talking to wrong people.

nobody asks when its coming out. if they are not curious about timeline they are not that interested.

they don't follow up with you. real interested people want updates. silence = they forgot about it.

you're doing all the talking. real validation is them asking questions and telling you about their pain. if you are pitching the whole time they are not engaged.

they don't mention price as a concern. if money never comes up they probably wouldn't pay.

only your friends validating. your network is biased. they want to be nice.

they say yes but disappear after. ghosting is a red flag. meant it would be cool in theory but not urgent enough.

GREEN FLAGS:

people ask when can i use this. thats interest becoming urgency.

people mention they are currently paying for a competitor. means the problem is real enough they are already spending money.

people volunteer to help test or give feedback. thats investment of time.

same problem mentioned multiple times from different people. thats a pattern not an anomaly.

people get frustrated explaining the pain. emotional reaction = real problem.

people ask about pricing. asking about cost = thinking about buying.

people willing to pay immediately. not just for the product but even to test or validate.

people introduce you to others with same problem. that's network effect starting.

MY HONEST TAKE:

if you are seeing mostly red flags, your idea probably isn't ready. and thats okay. pivot. go validate something else.

if you are seeing mostly green flags, go build. but keep validating as you build. market changes.

if you are 50/50, you are probably validating the wrong thing or talking to wrong people.

the key is being honest about what you are hearing. not what you want to hear.