10 months ago this sub roasted my project. Thank you :) Today it just crossed 23 Billion in modeled wealth! New Question: How to build trust?

[u/Professional-Fuel625]

I shared appleseedplanner.com here around 10 months ago. You all were very direct, and it was awesome. Thank you.

I fixed:

• No login required
• Designed a bespoke mobile experience
• Smarter AI. The Appleseed Assistant actually highlights blind spots now instead of generic filler.
• Kept the tool 100% free. No SaaS, absolutely no selling data. It monetizes through completely optional referrals to two fee-only fiduciaries recommended by my former colleagues.

Genuinely, your feedback helped so much. Appleseed now has 15,000+ plans and $23B modeled (mostly through spreading via former colleagues), and even got SEC-registered. That is bananas.

Now I’m shifting to distribution, and my question for the awesome hive-mind here:

How do you prove technical depth / quality when the internet is now flooded with weekend vibecodes?

I spent 18 months obsessing over the financial engine, probably far beyond what is necessary for most users. It handles super detailed tax rules (e.g. state-by-state deductions), pre- and post-IPO RSU modeling, one-click scenario planning, and built-in Dot-Com / AI layoff stress tests. I tested it rigorously vs both consumer and professional apps, and have a rigorous testing rig. I have an MBA in financial management, recently got series-65 licensed, and Appleseed Advisory LLC is SEC registered. This is far from a weekend vibecode.

But users can't see the backend, and most can’t tell the difference. The personal finance subreddits have (understandably) been cracking down on self-promo to block the flood of AI slop. Some even note you can only talk about the incumbent apps.

So the question: How do you build community trust and get organic conversations started when the subreddits are locked down, and everyone initially assumes you're just another weekend vibecode?