What on earth is the word I'm looking for?? Similar meaning to "Measuring Stick"?

[Ahheck01]

I can't figure out this word.

"It's important to measure that particular statistic, because it serves as a great __________ to gauge social influence."

infographic? demographic? I keep thinking the word ends with graphic.... this is driving me crazy. Free to whomever figures this out!

 

[Macman45]

Yardstick

I can't figure out this word.

"It's important to measure that particular statistic, because it serves as a great __________ to gauge social influence."

infographic? demographic? I keep thinking the word ends with graphic.... this is driving me crazy. Free to whomever figures this out!

Etc.

 

[miles01110]

"metric" ?

P.S. that's not a great sentence anyways.

 

[Ahheck01]

"metric" ?

P.S. that's not a great sentence anyways.

Oh, for the love of all that is good.... METRIC.

Thank you SO much. I can't thank you enough. But here is your reward as promised!