In consulting for various companies, especially those with developer platforms, it's evident that many businesses struggle with defining meaningful success metrics, often resorting to vanity metrics like API calls, which can be misleading. This is particularly prevalent in API development, where a focus on inflating numbers can overshadow the actual value provided to developers and partners. The key is to treat APIs as products and align metrics with company goals, such as growth, retention, or revenue generation, by critically assessing partner integrations and focusing on those that contribute genuine value. Tools like Moesif API Analytics can aid in tracking relevant API metrics that enhance developer productivity and software quality by ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.