For me it is important what activity and popularity of the project as a whole, all social and media channels, what the audience writes about the project, what opinions. Based on this I draw my conclusions.
I also regularly read posts in the topic and news in the social.groups of those projects that interested me. This is the only way I can understand the General opinion about the project.
It is very useful to read questions and comments to understand whether there is interest around the project. Demand for the product is an indicator of further success.