The 90-9-1 Principle

The 90-9-1 principle, also known as the 1% rule or the principle of participation inequality, is a rule of thumb used to describe the typical pattern of user contribution in an online community or social network. It posits that in most online groups, a tiny fraction of users create the vast majority of content, a slightly larger group interacts with that content, and the overwhelming majority of users simply consume it. Specifically, the principle states that 90% of users are 'lurkers' who read or observe but do not actively contribute. 9% of users are 'intermittent contributors' who engage occasionally. The remaining 1% of users are 'super-users' or 'heavy contributors' who account for most of the new content and activity within the community.

Why it matters — The 90-9-1 Principle