As has been shown countless times in both theory and practice, this metric is useless. People are very liberal in saying the would buy things, support causes, etc. The actual number of people who do buy is completely unrelated to this say-they-would-buy metric. Similarly, having people who say they would buy your startup's product is worth nil. The only customers that count are the actual customers, the ones that do buy.
I especially hate it when they don't have a single item (eg. a pair of socks), but they have a "3-pack", and when the item arrives, it's actually three individual single packs, that they didn't want to sell separately.
I either want the thing at that time point, in which case I will look for an alternative because waiting won't get me the thing at that time point, or if its not important enough or I don't want it enough to want it right away, then I don't buy and usually I either get less interested as I wait, priorities shift or I just forget about it.
For example, a PS5: I would have bought one on release, if I could have. Had the money set aside for it. But I couldn't get one and about two months later, I lost interest, cancelled my reservation and spent the money on something else and have decided there are other things I want more before I get one, such as a new guitar. Maybe in a few years I'll get one. Maybe. If I can get one cheap.
A product's DEMAND is the ask for a product backed by the ability (& willingness) to PAY.
> "Finally, the word “would” taps into a special place in people’s minds. At the end of the day people are optimistic. I’m sure of it! Think of the most negative person you know and ask them “would you like to be healthier?” They will say “Yes” and then come up with a bunch of reasons they’re not."
My post: https://caseysoftware.com/blog/the-problem-with-would
So provided the sample size is big enough I think it’s a perfectly valid metric.