An MVP has to be able to satisfy some user demand with a feature. A signup can’t do this (but it can facilitate market validation, which you may be thinking of.)

Here’s the definition of an MVP: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_viable_product

Read that Wikipedia page with a different mindset and look up the origins of Dropbox.

> , the term MVP is commonly used, either deliberately or unwittingly, to refer to a much broader notion ranging from a rather prototype-like product to a fully-fledged and marketable product.[9]

I remember the origins of Dropbox! Are you maybe thinking that anything that becomes a successful product must be considered an MVP?

The summary section of that article and the elaboration is correct and the portion you pulled out is just an explanation of a non-normative minority practice. The same goes for the other end that reserves the term for an essentially mature product, although for different reasons, since the minimum to actually put features in the hands of paying users can be debated whereas users cannot use a lack of features.

> I remember the origins of Dropbox! Are you maybe thinking that anything that becomes a successful product must be considered an MVP?

No, that their initial landing page and video is regularly talked about as an MVP. Here's a 2011 article on it: https://techcrunch.com/2011/10/19/dropbox-minimal-viable-pro...

And here's Eric Ries http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/2009/08/minimum-viable-...

> First, a definition: the minimum viable product is that version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort.

> Some caveats right off the bat. MVP, despite the name, is not about creating minimal products

Eric Ries redefined words to build his brand, which is based around the idea that marketing matters and products don't.