Cracking the code: how Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub built dev trust

Developers trust companies that deliver clear documentation, easy-to-use tools, and genuine engagement. Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub have mastered this by focusing on transparency, community, and developer-first solutions. Here’s how they do it:

• Stripe: Simplifies payments with clear APIs and instant integration (just 7 lines of code).
• Twilio: Builds trust with compliance tools and community programs like "Developer Voices."
• GitHub: Leads open-source collaboration with tools, transparency, and security initiatives.

Key Takeaways:

• Developers value self-service access, responsive support, and clear communication.
• Trust directly impacts growth: Stripe powers 3.2M sites with a $95B valuation.
• Tools like public roadmaps, beta programs, and changelogs strengthen connections.

Trust isn’t optional - it’s a growth engine. Focus on developer needs, involve them in decisions, and communicate openly to build lasting relationships.

Building Blocks of Developer Trust

Developer Brand Preferences

Developers prioritize clear documentation, easy integration, and responsive support. Stripe is a standout example, gaining traction through its simple API integration process.

"For years, the growth in e-commerce outpaced the underlying payments technology... Developers had to choose between this and complex legacy systems built by banks." – Stephen Armstrong, via Wired

Companies that make developers a priority tend to see higher adoption rates. This means offering self-serve access to API keys, reducing entry barriers, resolving technical issues quickly, and providing practical, hands-on product experiences. By focusing on these areas, businesses not only gain developers' trust but also see measurable growth.

Trust Impact on Business Growth

Stripe's developer-focused approach has resulted in 3.2 million active sites and a valuation of approximately $95 billion as of May 2025. A big part of this success comes from direct engagement with developers. Paul Graham highlights this approach:

"At YC we use the term 'Collison installation' for the technique they invented. More diffident founders ask 'Will you try our beta?' and if the answer is yes, they say 'Great, we'll send you a link.' But the Collison brothers weren't going to wait. When anyone agreed to try Stripe they'd say 'Right then, give me your laptop' and set them up on the spot." – Paul Graham

The connection between trust and business outcomes is evident in these key metrics:

Trust-Building Success Stories

Stripe's Developer Tools and Support

Stripe, valued at $95 billion, owes much of its success to prioritizing a seamless experience for developers. By offering instant API access, self-serve options, and bypassing lengthy bank setups, Stripe has become a go-to for 3.2 million active sites. Their strategy is built on three main pillars:

This tool-centric approach serves as a foundation for other developer-focused companies like Twilio.

Twilio's Community Programs

Twilio takes a different route by focusing on community involvement. Its 'Developer Voices' program pays $650 for each published tutorial, encouraging developers to share practical, language-specific guides. The "Twilio Champions" initiative highlights expert developers, offering perks like direct communication with Twilio staff, exclusive event invites, early product previews, and public recognition.

"I am a Twilio Champion because I believe in the power of disruptive software and using technology to make a positive impact on the world." - Anthony Delgado, Twilio Champion

GitHub's Open Source Leadership

GitHub empowers 94 million developers globally, with 413 million open source contributions recorded in 2022. It’s also a critical resource for businesses, as 90% of companies rely on open source, and over 90% of enterprise software incorporates open source code.

"You can't develop software anymore these days without doing open source." - Wolfgang Gehring, FOSS Ambassador at Mercedes-Benz Tech Innovation

To support open source sustainability, GitHub introduced a private Maintainer Community in April 2023. This initiative focuses on improving developer well-being and providing resources for maintaining open source projects. Security remains a priority, with tools like the OpenSSF Scorecard and mandatory two-factor authentication enhancing safety.

Trust-Building Methods That Work

Top Trust-Building Tools

Building trust with developers relies on being transparent, accessible, and engaged. Below are tools that consistently deliver results:

A great example is Slack, which uses public roadmaps at developer events. They showcase large, timeline-based boards where attendees can vote using stickers and interact with staff for feedback and discussions.

These tools work hand-in-hand with effective communication strategies, which we’ll explore next.

Developer Communication Channels

Choosing the right communication channels is critical for engaging developers. Three main factors contribute to success:

• Updates: Highlight important changes in changelogs using clear visual cues.
• Access: Offer virtual office hours for real-time problem-solving.
• Community: Host events like hackathons to build stronger connections. For instance, Stripe’s online Capture The Flag events are a great example of fostering developer engagement.

"The part of Stripe that I've always found most interesting is the idea of facilitating new commerce that wouldn't otherwise happen. Payouts are turning out to be a big part of that. These new networks are efficient, intelligent replacements for offline behemoths." - Patrick Collinson, Co-Founder of Stripe

Successful communication blends both pull and push methods. Companies can use opt-out newsletters for updates while providing self-serve resources like accessible changelogs. The key is to ensure developers get the information they need without feeling overwhelmed.

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Developer Ad Platforms and Trust

Developer ad platforms provide a focused way to strengthen credibility with technical audiences, building on established trust-building practices.

Why Developer-Specific Ads Work

Advertising platforms tailored to developers have changed how companies connect with technical users. By ensuring ads align with the context - like appearing in technical articles or documentation - these platforms encourage genuine interactions. Companies such as Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub have successfully used this approach to engage with their developer communities.

These features make developer-focused platforms highly effective for marketing to technical audiences.

daily.dev Ads: A Trust-Centered Approach

daily.dev's advertising platform is a great example of how to build meaningful connections with developers. With access to over 1,000,000 developers, daily.dev Ads lets companies directly engage with this audience.

Here’s how daily.dev Ads achieves this:

1. Precision Targeting Companies can tailor ads to specific programming languages, tools, or developer roles, ensuring the content resonates with the intended audience.
2. Native Integration
   • Ads appear naturally within the feed
   • Visibility on post pages
   • Options for personalized digests
3. Performance Transparency Real-time tracking provides insights into how developers interact with the ads, helping businesses refine their strategies using clear, actionable data.

This method prioritizes relevance and transparency, creating a stronger connection between companies and developers.

Conclusion

Looking at these insights, it's clear how companies can earn and maintain developer trust. The success of Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub highlights how offering effective tools, clear communication, and genuine engagement can fuel both adoption and growth.

Key Steps to Build Developer Trust

Stripe's journey from a startup to a $95 billion company shows the power of focusing on developers. Their hands-on onboarding approach helped drive early adoption and set a new standard in the industry.

Here’s a quick breakdown of core elements that help build trust with developers:

Trust as a Growth Engine

Trust isn't just a feel-good concept - it drives measurable results. Research shows that high-trust cultures outperform others by nearly 300% in market performance over two decades. Additionally, 80% of business buyers prefer working with trusted advisors. For a company like Stripe, which powers 3.2 million active websites, this trust directly boosts platform adoption and revenue.

Companies that succeed in maintaining developer trust focus on:

• Involving developers in product decisions
• Offering early access to new features and updates
• Building personal connections through developer advisory boards
• Being transparent about platform changes

FAQs

How do Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub build and maintain trust with developers?

Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub have earned the trust of developers by focusing on transparency, reliability, and developer-friendly tools.

Stripe prioritizes clear documentation, intuitive APIs, and responsive customer support. They also provide hands-on tools and integrations that make it easy for developers to create seamless payment experiences.

Twilio builds trust by offering tools like the Trust Hub, which simplifies compliance and ensures secure communication through identity verification processes. This focus on security and reliability helps developers confidently integrate Twilio’s solutions.

GitHub fosters trust by empowering developers with tools like Actions, Codespaces, and GitHub Copilot, which streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Their commitment to security and innovation further strengthens their credibility with the developer community.

How can companies effectively involve developers in product decisions and build strong, lasting relationships?

To build trust and long-term relationships with developers, companies should focus on creating an exceptional developer experience. This includes offering intuitive tools, clear documentation, and hands-on resources such as tutorials and code samples. Developers appreciate transparency, so using precise technical language and avoiding unnecessary marketing jargon is key.

Engaging developers directly is equally important. Provide opportunities for feedback, actively listen to their input, and demonstrate that their suggestions shape the product. Additionally, fostering a sense of community through forums or events helps developers feel connected and valued. By prioritizing these strategies, companies can build credibility and trust within the developer community.

Why is earning developer trust crucial for the success of companies like Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub?

Earning developer trust is essential for companies like Stripe, Twilio, and GitHub because it drives adoption, retention, and long-term growth. Developers are the backbone of these platforms, and their trust ensures they not only use but also recommend the tools to others.

Stripe, for instance, gained trust by offering a developer-first experience with intuitive APIs, clear documentation, and seamless integration. Twilio builds confidence through its Trust Hub, which prioritizes security and compliance, ensuring developers feel secure when building on their platform. GitHub fosters trust by creating a collaborative environment with tools that empower developers to share, contribute, and innovate effectively.

By focusing on developer needs and providing genuine value, these companies have built strong, loyal communities that fuel their success.

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