"External validation" refers to receiving approval, recognition, or confirmation from outside sources or people. It means feeling valued and accepted by others. Full definition
You are essentially paying for the expertise of the reviewer and the cache of the review — a type of external validation of sorts. (badredheadmedia.com)
Walking your path your way without the need for external validation or the good opinion of others. (entrepreneurialbabes.com)
We depend on external validation when, truly, the only person who needs to validate who you are and what you do is you. (mindbodygreen.com)