OKRs, KPIs & performance goals · Core
Vanity metric
Also called: feel-good metric, superficial metric
ELI5
A measure that looks impressive but offers little decision value.
Used in conversation
“The number is useful only if everyone calculates vanity metric the same way.”
Pitch context
You will see “Vanity metric” in organisation plans, workforce reviews, change programmes and people reports when the discussion reaches okrs, kpis & performance goals.
Why it matters: In okrs, kpis & performance goals, the definition can change who is affected, accountable, protected or entitled to act.
Caution
Employment law and workplace practice vary by jurisdiction and agreement.
Sources & evidence · 8
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Google Analytics Help — Google Analytics dimensions and metricsDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Interactive Advertising Bureau — Measurement guidelines and standardsDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Productivity programmeDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- American Marketing Association — Definitions of Marketing and BrandSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission — Advertising and Marketing GuidanceSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Google Ads Help — Google Ads metrics and reportingSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — BLS GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16