I think usage pattern is too idea-dependent to be a key metric, returning customers vs impulse buyers are both valid targets to aim at and often are just phases within a product lifecycle, like impulse buyer are those pushing the initial growth, returning customer those that sustain it.
I think a good idea moves on two different coordinates around usage patterns (actually more, but two in the context of users):
a) the idea has some value before the network effect
b) the idea has value even for those users that don't contribute any data
and yeah that rules out most low hanging fruit social network, but yeah, social network aren't about ideas, are about how much marketing you can push behind them anyway.
I think a good idea moves on two different coordinates around usage patterns (actually more, but two in the context of users):
a) the idea has some value before the network effect
b) the idea has value even for those users that don't contribute any data
and yeah that rules out most low hanging fruit social network, but yeah, social network aren't about ideas, are about how much marketing you can push behind them anyway.