User Retention
User retention is a key metric in product management and analytics that measures the ability of a product or service to keep users engaged over time. It focuses on the percentage of users who continue to use a product after their initial sign-up or first interaction, typically tracked through metrics like daily active users (DAU), monthly active users (MAU), or cohort analysis. This concept is critical for assessing long-term success, reducing churn, and driving sustainable growth in digital products.
Developers should understand user retention to build features that encourage repeat usage and loyalty, such as personalized experiences, notifications, or gamification elements. It is essential for roles in product-focused development, data analysis, and growth engineering, particularly in subscription-based models, mobile apps, or SaaS platforms where recurring revenue depends on keeping users active. Mastering retention strategies helps optimize user lifecycle, improve product-market fit, and inform data-driven decisions.