Proof of Usefulness Report

Chegg

Analysis completed on 1/17/2026

+630
Proof of Usefulness Score
Category Standard

Chegg is a publicly traded EdTech giant ($600M+ revenue) currently facing an existential crisis due to AI disruption (market cap down ~99% to ~$150M). The submission appears low-effort ('whosItFor': 'everyone') but contains surprisingly accurate, up-to-date data on team size (1,271) and market cap ($150M) for Jan 2026. The score reflects its massive verified traction and reach, heavily penalized by poor market timing and declining utility compared to generative AI.

Ready to Compete for $150k+ in Prizes?

Move this data into a HackerNoon blog draft to become eligible for your share of $150k+ in cash and software prizes

View All Reports

Score Breakdown

Real World Utility+162
Audience Reach Impact+216
Technical Innovation+60
Evidence Of Traction+237
Market Timing Relevance+15
Functional Completeness+25
Subtotal+716
Usefulness Multiplierx0.88
Final Score+630

Project Details

Project URL
chegg.com
Description
Chegg, accessible via chegg.com, is an American education technology company that provides digital and physical textbook rentals, online tutoring, and other student services. Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Chegg aims to help students save time, save money, and get smarter by offering a range of educational resources and tools. The company is well-known for its subscription-based services that include homework help, textbook solutions, and study guides, making it a popular choice among college and high school students seeking academic assistance.
Audience Reach
everyone
Target Users
everyone
Technologies
Educational Institutions, Research, Software Monetization
Traction Evidence
most people have used my product

Algorithm Insights

Market Position
Strong market validation with clear user adoption patterns
User Engagement
Documented reach suggests active user community
Technical Stack
Modern tech stack aligned with sponsor technologies

Recommendations to Increase Usefulness Score

Document User Growth

Provide specific metrics on user acquisition and retention rates

Showcase Revenue Model

Detail sustainable monetization strategy and current revenue streams

Expand Evidence Base

Include testimonials, case studies, and third-party validation

Technical Roadmap

Share development milestones and feature completion timeline