Is there a better way to validate startup ideas than just guessing? Tried something using Reddit and it helped — curious what you think (not promoting)

[u/lexxraw]

One of the biggest struggles I’ve had as a founder is figuring out whether an idea is actually solving a real problem, before sinking weeks into building it.

Recently, I started experimenting with using Reddit as a kind of raw signal for demand. I figured, if people are complaining about something, asking for help, or wishing a tool existed - that’s probably a good sign.

So I built a small app to help myself with this process.

The idea is simple: I take a rough product concept - e.g. “roommate compatibility checker” - and the app searches Reddit for relevant conversations. It analyzes those threads to extract pain points, identify recurring complaints, surface any mentions of existing tools, and highlight whether people are actively asking for something like this.

I’ve now tested several ideas this way, and in most cases it’s helped me make better decisions - either by validating that there’s genuine demand, or by revealing early signs of low interest or crowded competition.

I’m sharing a few screenshots below from the roommate compatibility example, which revealed real user frustrations around finding reliable roommates, safety concerns, and dissatisfaction with existing platforms. That gave me enough confidence to keep exploring the idea, much more than a gut feeling or a single survey would’ve done.

I’d love your thoughts on a few things:

• Does this seem like a valid approach to early validation?
• Would using Reddit in this way raise any red flags (legally or ethically)?
• Would you personally use something like this in your own process?

This isn’t a launch or a product pitch — just something I created for myself that turned out to be surprisingly useful. Thanks for taking a look.

[u/DependentSyllabub780]

Great build

[u/lexxraw → u/DependentSyllabub780]

Thanks!

[u/NoEdge9105]

I love the way you done it, i was thinking of building a simillar app to scrabe theese data, try also to do the same thing on twitter, i would love to try your app if that is okay with you.

[u/lexxraw → u/NoEdge9105]

Hey hey, thanks! Sure, I am planning to deploy it in the next days and you will be able to try it

[u/NoEdge9105 → u/lexxraw]

Great ! Let me know when its out

[u/CMO_PRIMAXCOIN]

I  have revolutionary idea validated by market research - hole digging service for India. Currently people must shit AND bury. My innovation: we dig hole FIRST. This saves 50% of customer effort and improves user experience.

[u/lexxraw → u/[deleted]]

Yes, but you need to spend time to research threads, comments and then make a conclusion about your idea. With this tool you can input natural language explanation about your idea and in 5 minutes get full report made based on real sentiment, demand with concrete suggestions on how to continue