Been diving deep into our user data lately but struggling to connect the dots between what users actually do and keeping them around longer.
What specific metrics should I focus on to identify the biggest retention killers?
Look at session frequency over the first 14 days. Users who open your app three or more times in the first week have much higher long-term retention.
Find your activation event. This is the one action that leads to stickiness. It could involve completing profile setup, using the core feature, or reaching a milestone. Track how many users reach this event and how quickly.
Segment churned users by their last use of specific features. This will help you identify which areas are not providing value.
Focus on your day 1 and day 7 retention rates because they show if users find value quickly.
Track the features that new users engage with during their first session and see how those correlate with retention. Users who complete key actions tend to stick around.
Also, identify where users are dropping off in the onboarding process. Improving these areas can significantly boost retention.