Set a signature goal
A number on its own means little to a visitor. A goal gives it meaning: 740 signatures of 1,000 says the petition is close and that one more signature counts. You can choose the goal yourself, let it rise automatically, or show no goal at all.
Three ways to set it
| Setting | What visitors see |
|---|---|
| Automatic | The goal is the next milestone above the current count, so the bar fills up and then the target moves on. This is the default. |
| No goal | Only the signature count, with no progress bar. |
| A fixed number | The milestone you picked. It stays put even after it is passed, and the bar then shows that the goal was exceeded. |
The milestones you can choose from are 100, 500, 1,000, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, 25,000, 50,000, 100,000, 250,000, 500,000 and 1,000,000.
Where to set it
- While creating the petition: open Advanced settings and choose Signature goal.
- Later: open your petition, choose Settings in the petition menu, and change Signature goal there.
On your own petition page the goal also has a small pencil icon next to it that takes you straight to the setting. It is always visible, so it works on a phone as well as with a mouse.
What supporters see
The signature count and the progress bar sit next to the signature form. After someone signs, the count ticks up by one in front of them. When a fixed goal has been passed, the bar is marked as reached and the number is shown as a percentage of the goal, which is a good moment to publish an update and ask people to share the petition again.
Who this helps, with an example
A school parents' group needs 500 names before a council meeting. They set 500 as a fixed goal, and every visitor can see the gap closing. A nationwide campaign with no clear threshold leaves the goal on Automatic: at 380 signatures the target reads 500, and once that is passed it becomes 1,000 on its own.
Why it matters
People join things that look like they are about to succeed. A visible gap between the count and the goal is a reason to act now instead of later, and a reason to forward the link to one more person. An unreachable goal does the opposite: it tells visitors their signature will not change anything.
Good to know
- The goal is only a display setting. It does not limit how many people can sign, and the petition does not close when the goal is reached.
- The count behind the bar is the real number of signatures, so removing a signature lowers it.
- Existing petitions keep the automatic goal until you change the setting.
Questions and answers
What happens when the goal is reached?
A goal you chose yourself stays where it is and the bar shows that it has been exceeded, with the percentage. The automatic goal simply moves up to the next milestone, so it is never exceeded.
Which goal should I choose?
Pick a number your own circle can plausibly reach, and raise it later. A local petition that shows 100 as its goal looks alive at 60 signatures. The same petition showing 10,000 looks abandoned at the same 60.
Can I change the goal later?
Yes, as often as you like. The goal is a display setting, so changing it never touches the signatures.
Can I hide the goal completely?
Yes. Choose "No goal" and the petition shows only the signature count, with no progress bar.
Is a goal a promise to anyone?
No. It is a target you set for your campaign. A petition does not become valid or invalid by reaching a number, although many decision-makers do take notice when one looks significant for the community it concerns.