Why we made the token meter unhideable
Most AI products bury usage. We put it next to the answer. Here is the conversion math that convinced us this is the right thing to do.
What the token meter is
The token meter is a live usage indicator shown next to every answer in Cheemly. It tells you how much of your monthly allowance an interaction consumed and how much remains, in the same view as the result. It cannot be hidden.
Why most products hide usage
Hiding the meter reduces friction in the short term — users spend without thinking. But it also breeds distrust the moment a bill arrives, and it removes any feedback loop that would help a user spend wisely. The hidden meter optimizes for one surprising invoice over a long relationship.
The case for transparency
- Trust compounds: A user who always sees the cost never feels tricked.
- Better decisions: Visible cost lets chemists reserve heavy compute for the questions that deserve it.
- Fewer support tickets: Surprises generate complaints; transparency prevents them.
The conversion math
We expected the visible meter to slow spending and hurt revenue. It did the opposite over time: users who trust the meter run more sessions, not fewer, because they are never afraid of a hidden charge. Transparency lowered churn enough to outweigh any per-session caution. Honesty, it turns out, is also the better business decision.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I hide the token meter in Cheemly?
- No. The token meter is always visible next to your answers by design. Cheemly treats usage transparency as a core feature, so you always know what an interaction cost and how much allowance remains.
- Does showing usage discourage people from using the product?
- In practice it does the opposite. Users who trust a visible meter run more sessions over time because they never fear a hidden charge, which lowers churn and outweighs any short-term caution.