diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index a7b7247..55b602b 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -229,6 +229,14 @@ jobs:
           } else {
             $footer = "NVENCForge.exe is not code signed, so Windows SmartScreen may warn. [Code signing policy]($policy)"
           }
+          # A friendly line for the people who read release texts: the ones
+          # updating, who are happy enough to stay.
+          $repo = "https://github.com/$env:GITHUB_REPOSITORY"
+          if ($env:SIGNED -eq 'true') {
+              $footer += "`n`n💜 Happy with NVENCForge? A ⭐ on [GitHub]($repo) is the easiest way to let me know, and it helps others find it. Or [tell me what you use it for]($repo/issues/new)."
+          } else {
+              $footer += "`n`n💜 Happy with NVENCForge? A ⭐ on [GitHub]($repo) is the easiest way to let me know, and it helps NVENCForge qualify for free code signing, so the Windows warning goes away for everyone. Or [tell me what you use it for]($repo/issues/new)."
+          }
           "$($notes.TrimEnd())`n`n---`n`n$footer" | Out-File -FilePath release-notes.md -Encoding utf8
 
           # gh release view exits non-zero when the release does not exist yet.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 404ba4e..90295d9 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@ HDR-aware. Resilient. DaVinci-Resolve-ready. One EXE.
 
 </div>
 
+> 💜 **Using NVENCForge and happy with it?** A ⭐ on GitHub is the easiest way to let me know,
+> and it does more than you'd think: stars are how small projects like this one qualify for
+> free code signing, which makes the Windows warning go away for everyone. Or
+> [tell me what you use it for](https://github.com/burnersen/NVENCForge/issues/new), I read every message.
+> Thanks for being here!
+
 > ### 🖥️ New: there is a window for this now
 >
 > Rather click than type? **[NVENCForgeGUI](https://github.com/burnersen/NVENCForgeGUI)**