For startups in the Product Development phase, achieving Product-Market Fit (PMF) is often viewed as a key milestone. It's a point where the product seems to resonate with its target audience, creating a strong foundation for scaling and growth. However, many startups fall victim to what can be called the "Product-Market Fit Mirage." This illusion occurs when founders and teams misinterpret early traction, positive feedback, or spikes in metrics as genuine PMF when, in reality, the product hasn’t truly solved the core pain points of the market.