diff --git a/NAMESPACE b/NAMESPACE
index 20fd619..f4ab3e5 100644
--- a/NAMESPACE
+++ b/NAMESPACE
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
 
-S3method(conditionMessage,lifecycle_stage)
 S3method(print,lifecycle_warnings)
 export(badge)
 export(deprecate_soft)
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index 2a7f6ef..d2d9eaa 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # lifecycle (development version)
 
-* `signal_stage()` is now deprecated. This was never hooked up to anything, and our original ideas for it never panned out, so the overhead it entails no longer feels worth it.
+* `signal_stage()` no longer does anything, and is now purely a way to express intent at the call site of whether a function is superseded or experimental (#203).
 
 * `deprecate_soft()` and `deprecate_warn()` are faster thanks to some internal refactoring (#191, #194, #195, #201).
 
diff --git a/R/deprecated-signal.R b/R/deprecated-signal.R
deleted file mode 100644
index 44d32a0..0000000
--- a/R/deprecated-signal.R
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,93 +0,0 @@
-#' Deprecated functions for signalling lifecycle stages
-#'
-#' @description
-#' `r badge("deprecated")`
-#' @name deprecated-signallers
-#' @keywords internal
-NULL
-
-#' @rdname deprecated-signallers
-#' @export
-signal_stage <- function(stage, what, with = NULL, env = caller_env()) {
-  deprecate_soft(
-    "1.1.0",
-    what = "signal_stage()",
-    id = "lifecycle_signal_stage"
-  )
-  signal_stage_impl(stage, what, with, env)
-}
-
-#' @rdname deprecated-signallers
-#' @export
-signal_experimental <- function(when, what, env = caller_env()) {
-  deprecate_soft(
-    "1.1.0",
-    what = "signal_experimental()",
-    id = "lifecycle_signal_experimental"
-  )
-  signal_stage_impl("experimental", what, with = NULL, env = env)
-}
-
-#' @rdname deprecated-signallers
-#' @export
-signal_superseded <- function(when, what, env = caller_env()) {
-  deprecate_soft(
-    "1.1.0",
-    what = "signal_superseded()",
-    id = "lifecycle_signal_superseded"
-  )
-  signal_stage_impl("superseded", what, with = NULL, env = env)
-}
-
-signal_stage_impl <- function(stage, what, with, env) {
-  stage <- arg_match0(stage, c("experimental", "superseded", "deprecated"))
-  cnd <- new_lifecycle_stage_cnd(stage, what, with, env)
-  cnd_signal(cnd)
-}
-
-new_lifecycle_stage_cnd <- function(stage, what, with, env) {
-  out <- list(stage = stage, what = what, with = with, env = env)
-  class(out) <- c("lifecycle_stage", "condition")
-  out
-}
-
-lifecycle_stage_cnd_data <- function(cnd) {
-  stage <- cnd$stage
-  what <- cnd$what
-  with <- cnd$with
-  env <- cnd$env
-
-  what <- spec(what, env = env)
-
-  if (is_null(what$arg)) {
-    message <- sprintf("%s() is %s", what$fn, stage)
-  } else {
-    message <- sprintf("%s(%s) is %s", what$fn, what$arg, stage)
-  }
-
-  if (!is_null(with)) {
-    with <- spec(with, NULL, "signal_stage")
-    message <- paste0(message, "\n", lifecycle_message_with(with, what))
-  }
-
-  list(
-    message = message,
-    stage = stage,
-    package = what$pkg,
-    function_nm = what$fn,
-    argument = what$arg,
-    reason = what$reason
-  )
-}
-
-# `cnd_signal()` calls `signalCondition()`, which currently eagerly evaluates
-# `conditionMessage()`, meaning that right now we don't save any time by making
-# the message generation lazy. But we are hoping to fix this in base R in the
-# future, since the message is only used in the error path and could be
-# generated on demand at that point.
-# https://github.com/wch/r-source/blob/f200c30b1a20dfa9394d7facff616e9cb2a42c6d/src/library/base/R/conditions.R#L157-L163
-# https://github.com/wch/r-source/blob/f200c30b1a20dfa9394d7facff616e9cb2a42c6d/src/main/errors.c#L1904-L1909
-#' @export
-conditionMessage.lifecycle_stage <- function(c) {
-  lifecycle_stage_cnd_data(c)$message
-}
diff --git a/R/signal.R b/R/signal.R
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cb2be1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/R/signal.R
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+#' Signal other experimental or superseded features
+#'
+#' @description
+#' `r badge("experimental")`
+#'
+#' `signal_stage()` allows you to signal life cycle stages other than
+#' deprecation (for which you should use [deprecate_warn()] and friends). There
+#' is no behaviour associated with this signal, it is currently purely a way to
+#' express intent at the call site. In the future, we hope to replace this with
+#' a standardized call to `base::declare()`.
+#'
+#' @param stage Life cycle stage, either `"experimental"` or `"superseded"`.
+#'
+#' @param what String describing what feature the stage applies too, using the
+#'   same syntax as [deprecate_warn()].
+#'
+#' @param with An optional string giving a recommended replacement for a
+#'   superseded function.
+#'
+#' @param env `r badge("deprecated")`
+#'
+#' @export
+#' @examples
+#' foofy <- function(x, y, z) {
+#'   signal_stage("experimental", "foofy()")
+#'   x + y / z
+#' }
+#' foofy(1, 2, 3)
+signal_stage <- function(stage, what, with = NULL, env = deprecated()) {
+  # Does nothing
+  invisible()
+}
+
+#' Deprecated functions for signalling lifecycle stages
+#'
+#' @description
+#' `r badge("deprecated")`
+#' @name deprecated-signallers
+#' @keywords internal
+NULL
+
+#' @rdname deprecated-signallers
+#' @export
+signal_experimental <- function(when, what, env = caller_env()) {
+  deprecate_soft(
+    "1.1.0",
+    what = "signal_experimental()",
+    with = "signal_stage()",
+    id = "lifecycle_signal_experimental"
+  )
+  signal_stage("experimental", what)
+}
+
+#' @rdname deprecated-signallers
+#' @export
+signal_superseded <- function(when, what, env = caller_env()) {
+  deprecate_soft(
+    "1.1.0",
+    what = "signal_superseded()",
+    with = "signal_stage()",
+    id = "lifecycle_signal_superseded"
+  )
+  signal_stage("superseded", what)
+}
diff --git a/man/deprecated-signallers.Rd b/man/deprecated-signallers.Rd
index ae0ecee..0b92e72 100644
--- a/man/deprecated-signallers.Rd
+++ b/man/deprecated-signallers.Rd
@@ -1,14 +1,11 @@
 % Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/deprecated-signal.R
+% Please edit documentation in R/signal.R
 \name{deprecated-signallers}
 \alias{deprecated-signallers}
-\alias{signal_stage}
 \alias{signal_experimental}
 \alias{signal_superseded}
 \title{Deprecated functions for signalling lifecycle stages}
 \usage{
-signal_stage(stage, what, with = NULL, env = caller_env())
-
 signal_experimental(when, what, env = caller_env())
 
 signal_superseded(when, what, env = caller_env())
diff --git a/man/signal_stage.Rd b/man/signal_stage.Rd
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c943d6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/man/signal_stage.Rd
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+% Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
+% Please edit documentation in R/signal.R
+\name{signal_stage}
+\alias{signal_stage}
+\title{Signal other experimental or superseded features}
+\usage{
+signal_stage(stage, what, with = NULL, env = deprecated())
+}
+\arguments{
+\item{stage}{Life cycle stage, either \code{"experimental"} or \code{"superseded"}.}
+
+\item{what}{String describing what feature the stage applies too, using the
+same syntax as \code{\link[=deprecate_warn]{deprecate_warn()}}.}
+
+\item{with}{An optional string giving a recommended replacement for a
+superseded function.}
+
+\item{env}{\ifelse{html}{\href{https://lifecycle.r-lib.org/articles/stages.html#deprecated}{\figure{lifecycle-deprecated.svg}{options: alt='[Deprecated]'}}}{\strong{[Deprecated]}}}
+}
+\description{
+\ifelse{html}{\href{https://lifecycle.r-lib.org/articles/stages.html#experimental}{\figure{lifecycle-experimental.svg}{options: alt='[Experimental]'}}}{\strong{[Experimental]}}
+
+\code{signal_stage()} allows you to signal life cycle stages other than
+deprecation (for which you should use \code{\link[=deprecate_warn]{deprecate_warn()}} and friends). There
+is no behaviour associated with this signal, it is currently purely a way to
+express intent at the call site. In the future, we hope to replace this with
+a standardized call to \code{base::declare()}.
+}
+\examples{
+foofy <- function(x, y, z) {
+  signal_stage("experimental", "foofy()")
+  x + y / z
+}
+foofy(1, 2, 3)
+}
diff --git a/tests/testthat/_snaps/deprecated-signal.md b/tests/testthat/_snaps/deprecated-signal.md
deleted file mode 100644
index f1b5e3c..0000000
--- a/tests/testthat/_snaps/deprecated-signal.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,48 +0,0 @@
-# signal generates user friendly message
-
-    Code
-      (expect_condition(signal_stage("experimental", "foo()")))
-    Output
-      <lifecycle_stage: foo() is experimental>
-    Code
-      (expect_condition(signal_stage("superseded", "foo(bar)")))
-    Output
-      <lifecycle_stage: foo(bar) is superseded>
-
-# signal_stage supports with
-
-    Code
-      (expect_condition(signal_stage("superseded", "foo()", "bar()")))
-    Output
-      <lifecycle_stage: foo() is superseded
-      Please use `bar()` instead.>
-    Code
-      (expect_condition(signal_stage("superseded", "foo(bar=)", "foo(baz=)")))
-    Output
-      <lifecycle_stage: foo(bar) is superseded
-      Please use the `baz` argument instead.>
-
-# `signal_stage()` and friends are deprecated
-
-    Code
-      signal_stage("superseded", "foo()", "bar()")
-    Condition
-      Warning:
-      `signal_stage()` was deprecated in lifecycle 1.1.0.
-
----
-
-    Code
-      signal_experimental("1.1.0", "foo()")
-    Condition
-      Warning:
-      `signal_experimental()` was deprecated in lifecycle 1.1.0.
-
----
-
-    Code
-      signal_superseded("1.1.0", "foo()")
-    Condition
-      Warning:
-      `signal_superseded()` was deprecated in lifecycle 1.1.0.
-
diff --git a/tests/testthat/_snaps/signal.md b/tests/testthat/_snaps/signal.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..2e26cd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testthat/_snaps/signal.md
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+# `signal_experimental()` and `signal_superseded()` are deprecated
+
+    Code
+      signal_experimental("1.1.0", "foo()")
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      `signal_experimental()` was deprecated in lifecycle 1.1.0.
+      i Please use `signal_stage()` instead.
+
+---
+
+    Code
+      signal_superseded("1.1.0", "foo()")
+    Condition
+      Warning:
+      `signal_superseded()` was deprecated in lifecycle 1.1.0.
+      i Please use `signal_stage()` instead.
+
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-deprecated-signal.R b/tests/testthat/test-deprecated-signal.R
deleted file mode 100644
index 3b21e21..0000000
--- a/tests/testthat/test-deprecated-signal.R
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,45 +0,0 @@
-test_that("signal stage captures desired data", {
-  local_options(lifecycle_verbosity = "quiet")
-
-  f <- function() {
-    signal_stage("experimental", "pkg::foo(bar = 'baz')")
-  }
-
-  cnd <- expect_condition(f(), class = "lifecycle_stage")
-  data <- lifecycle_stage_cnd_data(cnd)
-  expect_equal(data$stage, "experimental")
-  expect_equal(data$package, "pkg")
-  expect_equal(data$function_nm, "foo")
-  expect_equal(data$argument, "bar")
-  expect_equal(data$reason, "baz")
-})
-
-test_that("signal generates user friendly message", {
-  local_options(lifecycle_verbosity = "quiet")
-
-  expect_snapshot({
-    (expect_condition(signal_stage("experimental", "foo()")))
-    (expect_condition(signal_stage("superseded", "foo(bar)")))
-  })
-})
-
-test_that("signal_stage supports with", {
-  local_options(lifecycle_verbosity = "quiet")
-
-  expect_snapshot({
-    (expect_condition(signal_stage("superseded", "foo()", "bar()")))
-    (expect_condition(signal_stage("superseded", "foo(bar=)", "foo(baz=)")))
-  })
-})
-
-test_that("`signal_stage()` and friends are deprecated", {
-  expect_snapshot({
-    signal_stage("superseded", "foo()", "bar()")
-  })
-  expect_snapshot({
-    signal_experimental("1.1.0", "foo()")
-  })
-  expect_snapshot({
-    signal_superseded("1.1.0", "foo()")
-  })
-})
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test-signal.R b/tests/testthat/test-signal.R
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..051098c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/testthat/test-signal.R
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+test_that("`signal_stage()` does nothing", {
+  expect_null(signal_stage("experimental", "pkg::foo(bar = 'baz')"), NULL)
+})
+
+test_that("`signal_experimental()` and `signal_superseded()` are deprecated", {
+  expect_snapshot({
+    signal_experimental("1.1.0", "foo()")
+  })
+  expect_snapshot({
+    signal_superseded("1.1.0", "foo()")
+  })
+})