Measure your success
Everyone who takes photographs does so primarily for fun. Of course, I am talking about leisure photographers here and not professionals, although I hope that they also still enjoy photographing.
Besides this pleasure, appreciation may also be an important element. Depending on how and what you photograph and what you do with it afterwards. I assume that you also show your photos to others. I always remember a quote from a mentor who said that you don't take photos to put in a drawer.
If you show your photos to others - whether these are immediate friends you show prints to or you share your photos on Social Media or elsewhere online - you will get responses to them and with that, some sort of appreciation will roll out. Compliments, Likes, Comments of course possibly both positive and negative. Does this then determine your success?
What is success?
All those reactions to your photos ... is that your success? For some it might be. Hoping for as many likes as possible. Looking with envy at photographers with what they see as inferior photos that receive reactions and likes. This does not seem like a desirable situation to me. Photos do not fit well in a competition. I think this can only make you sour. Comparing yourself to others in this area is not the best idea anyway. Studying others and learning from them, on the other hand, I would recommend. But always keep your own situation in mind.
What is your success?
Can I tell you? Do I have a secret formula? No, I can't really say anything about that. Everyone has different standards and criteria here from which they want to derive success.
I can tell you how I measure my success, though. I try to make photos that 'feel' like my own. Photos of which I think that my ideas, my opinion, my drive and the pleasure in making that image come forward. Photos in which I more or less reveal myself. Photos that have a clear signature.
By my presence in the photo I measure my success!