Overview dashboard—user acquisition and retargeting LTV

At a glance: The Overview dashboard gives advertisers a real-time window into the LTV performance of user acquisition and retargeting campaigns.

Overview

Use the Overview dashboard to view campaign performance and app health. The dashboard contains user acquisition and retargeting campaign performance data enriched with data points like click, cost, and revenue. Most metrics update continuously in real-time. 

 

Tip

Terminology

  • Attributionsconsist of one or more of the following: 
    • Install: The installation of an app by a user.
    • Re-attributions: AKA retargeting reinstall.
    • Re-engagements: User engaging with a retargeting campaign.
  • Organic: Attribution not attributed to a media source.
  • Non-organic: Attribution attributed to a media source.

See the AppsFlyer Help Glossary for an in-depth list of all terms.

Quick-start guide

Power users

View types

The dashboard contains user acquisition and retargeting campaign data. The View type filter is used to filter between Unified, User Acquisition, and Retargeting. The same view types are implemented in the Cohort dashboard—power users are familiar with them. 

Attribution and attribution period

  • An attribution is an install, re-attribution, or re-engagement, based on the view type.
    • Unified: Installs, re-attributions, and re-engagements
    • User acquisition: Installs
    • Retargeting: Re-engagements and re-attributions
  • The attribution period (dates) relates to the date a user performed an attribution. For example, in the User Acquisition view, it means the install date. In the Unified view, it means any of the attribution types. 

    Note: The retargeting view doesn't contain any cost-related metrics. Use the User Acquisition and Unified views to get the cost-related metrics. 

Settings and filters

You must set a view type and attribution period in the settings and filters panel. The remaining filters are optional. Use the filters for a detailed analysis of your data.

Widgets

The dashboard is made up of widgets that include KPI headline metrics, charts, and tables.

Charts

  • Bar/line over time chart. For example, installs per day.
  • Donut/horizontal bar performance comparison. For example, revenue by geo.

In each chart, select a dimension and a metric.

Table

  • The table contains the top 25 or 50 media sources ranked by attributions.
  • You can sort the table using the displayed metrics by clicking on the metric. The sort includes ranked media sources only.
  • Drill down to view campaign performance at the ad level.
  • Group by Source to view organic and non-organic data. Use Source to suppress organic data or to group by organic vs non-organic.
  • To select the metrics you want to view in the table, click the settings icon gears.png.  
  • N/A results: Occur primarily in cost-related metrics. This limitation relates to the granularity of data provided by ad networks. Total values include N/A rows based on the total reported by ad networks. 

For CTV users

The CTV dashboard gives app advertisers LTV insights for non-organic and organic users. Insights are based on subscription, in-app purchases, and ad monetization.

Settings and filters

Use the filters for a detailed analysis of your data. Filters available for CTV apps include the standard filters, plus State, DMA, and Ad placement filters. 

Metrics

All metrics are selectable. However, many will display N/A as they are not supported for CTV.

The following metrics are coming soon:

  • Cost
  • Re-attributions
  • Re-engagements

Dashboard view types and layout

View types

 

Data in the dashboard is presented via view types Unified, User acquisition, and Retargeting as described in the figure that follows.

OV.png

These view types contain LTV data as follows:

  • Unified: display data under the last touch media source bringing the user according to AppsFlyer double attribution rules. Meaning that LTV occurring during re-engagements displays under the retargeting media source and not under the UA media source. 
    • Shows all event data: new installs (organic and non-organic), re-engagements, re-attributions.
    • Re-engagements and re-attributions events are attributed to the retargeting media source and their parallel user acquisition events are deduped.
  • User acquisition: attributed to a user acquisition media source including LTV occurring during re-engagement windows.
    • Includes new installs (organic and non-organic), and re-engagements (attributed to the original install media source).
  • Retargeting: attributed to a retargeting media source for events occurring:
    • During a re-engagement window.
    • As a result of re-attributions.

Layout

The dashboard opens using your currently selected default dashboard view.

By default, two predefined views, Extended overview, and Lite overview are available.

To learn how to change default views, see Dashboard views.

The dashboard contains the following functional areas:

A: Dashboard views
B: Filter bar
C: KPI headline metrics
D: Charts
E: Table

OverviewV2.png

Dashboard features

Dashboard views

Two predefined layouts, Extended overview, and Lite overview are available. They have the same data and metrics but the number and style of charts they contain differ. Following are some of the layout differences. 

My reports layout and comparison

The images that follow are for illustration purposes. They indicate the number and placement of charts. 

Layout name: Lite overview

Charts available: Two donut/horizontal performance comparison bar charts and one trend over time chart. A compact view highlighting what really matters.

 

OverviewLayoutLite_us-en.jpg

Layout name: Extended overview

Charts available: Seven donut/horizontal performance comparison charts and three trends over time charts. Providing a deep dive into the metrics. 

 

OverveiwFull_us-en.jpg

Dashboard view selector

To select a report:

OverviewReportHeader.png

  1. Click ▼ (My reports).
  2. Select a dashboard: The dashboard displays using the report settings and current data.

 Icons on the dashboard view dropdown

MyReports.jpg

  • Delete: Delete a report.
  • Favorite: Set as the report that displays when you first open the dashboard.
  • Edit: Change the current report settings.
  • Save current view: The report is saved for your future use.
  • Dashboards having the AppsFlyer logo are foundation dashboards and can't be changed.
  • The dashboard with the blue star is the current default dashboard.

Unsaved changes

UnsavedChanges.jpg

  • You are notified that your dashboard has been changed and not saved by the orange dot.
  • To save the changes, click Save dashboard at the top-right of the page.

Localization—timezone and currency

The Overview dashboard can display data in timezone=UTC and currency=USD or in the app-specific timezone and local currency as set on the app settings page.

Note: Localization changes affect only your specific app dashboard; not the dashboard of other account users.

To select/change the settings for timezone and currency:

  1. In the Overview dashboard, next to the timezone and currency display, click Edit.

    localize_tz_and_currency.png

  2. For Timezone, select either UTC+0 or the app-specific timezone.
  3. For Currency, select either USD or the app-specific currency.
  4. Click Apply.

Filter bar

Select the view type, attribution dates, and display filters.

View type

Attributions included by view type

View type Unified UA  Retargeting
Installs Yes Yes -
Re-attributions Yes - Yes
Re-engagements Yes - Yes

 

Attribution dates

Date the attribution occurred

Filters

Default filters available:

  • Media source
  • Campaign
  • Geo

Click + to add one or more of the following filters: 

  • Ad
  • Adset 
  • Agency (not available for CTV)
  • Source: Organic or non-organic
  • Geo-related filters available for CTV apps: State, DMA, Ad placement

 

Customizing dashboards

Re-arranging the dashboard

The dashboard is made up of widgets that include KPI headline metrics, charts, and tables.

Customize your dashboard by resizing and moving your widgets for a personalized view of your data:

  • To move a widget, hover over the top and then drag and drop it.
  • To resize a widget, expand the widget to the desired size from the bottom-right corner.
  • To save the changes, click Save dashboard at the top-right of the page.

Adding more widgets

  • To add a new widget click Add Widget.
    • You can choose the type of widget from the dropdown options.
  • To save the changes, click Save dashboard at the top-right of the page.

Changing or removing chart widgets

  • To change or remove a chart widget, click on the widgets menu then select the desired chart type or the Delete button.
  • To save the changes, click Save dashboard at the top-right of the page.

Sharing a dashboard

After saving a custom dashboard, you can share it with others.

  • To share a dashboard, click the share_icon.png Share icon at the top-right of the page and set the visibility to Shared. The dashboard then displays in the "Shared" list of dashboards instead of the "Private" list.
  • You can then copy and share the URL to the dashboard with others. Additionally, your custom dashboard becomes available in the view selector for other users.

KPI headline metrics

KPI headline metrics are provided in the context of the selected view type.

By default, the six most popular KPIs are displayed on the default dashboard view.

Any added KPIs will be added to the bottom of the dashboard and can be moved to anywhere else on the dashboard. 

See Re-arranging the dashboard for more information.

Metric component layout

HeadlineMetric.png

A: Metric type
B: Tooltip
C: Trend: Change in % compared to the previous adjacent period. Hover over to view the trend period.
Metric During the selected period...

User Acquisition

The number of users installing the app.

Retargeting

The number of users engaging with a retargeting campaign who re-attribute or re-engage.

Total revenue

Revenue LTV is measured by calculating the total of non-organic installs, organic installs, re-attributions, and re-engagements.

 

Revenue generated by users according to view type: 

User acquisition view:

Retargeting: Revenue generated by users re-attributing and from users re-engaging for the duration of the re-engagement window.

Unified view:

  • Based on re-engagements and re-attributions in the date range, according to retargeting attribution rules. 
    • installs might have happened before the date range.

 

 

Cost

Campaign cost relating to non-organic installs, re-attributions, and re-engagements. Reported to AppsFlyer by API or by click or impression URLs.

User acquisition view: Displays cost data of active campaigns (meaning campaigns with at least one install).

Retargeting: Not available

Unified view: Displays all cost data of active and inactive campaigns (meaning data from campaigns without any installs.) This includes the costs of retargeting campaigns.

Non-organic installs New installs attributed to a non-organic media source, usually following a click or impression engagement.
Organic installs New installs by users who didn't engage with a media source beforehand.
Total installs

The total number of new installs, organic and non-organic, during the selected date range. Total installs = non-organic installs + organic installs.

eCPI

Formula for eCPI: Total available cost / non-organic attributions.

  • eCPI excludes organic installs and calculates the cost per non-organic attributions. Attributions include non-organic installs, re-attributions, and re-engagements.
  • Campaigns without Cost data, but with Installs, impact the accuracy of the eCPI, as installs with zero cost are accounted for.
Non-organic revenue

Lifetime revenue of users attributed to non-organic installs only. Measured from the install date until today. Revenue from organic users and re-attributed users is not included.
User acquisition view: Includes retargeting revenue

Organic revenue

Lifetime revenue generated by organic installs, from install date until the present (updates every 15 minutes).

User acquisition view: Includes retargeting revenue

Clicks

The number of engagements within a media source redirecting the user to the app store or to a specific page in the app.

Impressions

The number of ad views.

Re-engagements

Users who have the app installed and then open it after engaging with a retargeting campaign.

Re-attributions

Users who reinstall the app after engaging with a retargeting campaign.

Total retargeting

Total retargeting = re-attributions + re-engagements. Measures how many previously acquired users opened the app after engaging with a retargeting campaign.

Re-attributions revenue

Lifetime revenue generated by re-attributions, attributed to retargeting media sources.

Re-engagements revenue

Lifetime revenue generated by re-engaged users during the re-engagement window.

Total touchpoints

Number of clicks and impressions

SKAN installs

Number of installs attributed via SKAN

SKAN revenue

Total revenue attributed via SKAN conversion values

 

Charts

 

Trend over time and performance comparison charts

Chart type Description

Trend over time

Stacked bar chart

OverviewStackedBar_us-en.jpg

Line chart

OverviewLine.jpg

Display settings:

(A) Dimension and metric 
(B) Chart type: Bar or Line
(C) Dimensions in display: Select as required. 
(D) Number of dimensions: Top 5 or All. In the case of All, the top 10 display separately and the remainder are grouped together.

Performance comparison donuts

Set of 3 metric comparison donuts with fixed metrics: Attributions, loyal users, and revenue

OverviewTopPerformingDonuts_us-en.jpg

Display settings:

(A) Dimensions in display: Select dimension 

Performance comparison selectable format

Comparisons charts with selectable format (bar/donut) and metrics

Overview2chart_us-en.jpg

Display settings

(A) Dimensions and metric
(B) Chart type: Donut, Horizontal bar
(C) Dimensions in display: Select as required 

Table

 

 

The table contains row-level metrics and event metrics broken down by dimensions.

Option Description

OverviewTable.jpg

Ranked attributions principle

The table consists of the top values, ranked by the number of attributions and the primary group by dimension selected.

For example, if the group by dimension is a media source, and the top 25 are selected: the top 25 media sources ranked by attributions are included in the table.

This applies to other display options such as the column sort.

For example, if you sort a column, it sorts only the media sources already contained in the table. This means that media sources not included in the top list won't be displayed. 

Export data

If you export the table, all media sources are included, meaning the ranked attributions principle is disregarded. 

Table controls

(A) Group by:

  • Select primary and secondary groups by dimensions.
  • Expand using >. Doing so displays the top secondary results of the value expanded.
  • Select a row to drill down to the next level of the hierarchy.

(B) Row-level metrics

(C) Event metrics

(D) Export: Click Export, to download the table to a CSV file. Export downloads all rows; not just the top.
(E) Column configuration: Row-level and event metrics

(F) Horizontal scroll bar: Scroll right to view event metrics

(G) Values having N/A 

(H) Top selector: Select the top 25 or 50 rows using the ranking principle described previously.

Note: The number of events that can be added to the table is limited to 20.  More information can be found in Traits and limitations

Metric selection

Metric columns in the table are divided between:

  • Summary metrics at the row-level
  • In-app event metrics per in-app event.

To select metrics to display in the table:

  • Click gears.png (configure).
    The list of metrics displays.

OverviewMetricsSelection.jpg

Controls:

(A) Include all metrics in the table
(B) Remove all metrics from the table
(C) Display the metrics glossary 
(D) Set to default

To add and sequence metrics to the table

  • Select metrics to include in the table. Selected metrics display on the right-hand side of the panel.
  • To remove a metric, click it.
  • To change the sequence of the metrics in the table drag as required.

To add and sequence in-app event metrics:

  1. Select an In-app event
    The list of in-app events displays. 
  2. Select one or more metrics.
    The metric is added to the list of displayed metrics.

Exporting data

Currently, you can only export tables.

Tables

  1. Select the dimensions to be included by choosing the dimensions from Group by.
    • You can select up to two dimensions.
    • To remove a dimension, click the X next to its name.
    • To add a dimension, click the + sign.
    • To change the dimension, click it.
  2. Click on the menu widget on the right, then select Export CSV.

Dimensions and metrics

Dimensions

Dimension

Remarks

Ad  

Ad ID

 

Adset

 

Adset ID

 

Agency

 

Attributed touch type

Click or impression.

Attribution type

Installs, re-engagements, or re-attributions. 

Cost-related metrics are usually not available for this dimension.

Campaign

 

Campaign ID

 

Channel

 

Geo

 

Media source

 

Source

Organic or non-organic.

In-app events

 

Install app store

Populated in the context of multi-store Android attribution. If you don't see the dimension, ask your CSM to enable the SFDC feature for you. 

Store product page

iOS apps only.

Row-level metrics

  • When a grouping contains a dimension having both organic and non-organic data, metrics not applicable to organic will reflect as N/A. An example of this is geo. 
  • Some groups by dimensions can't be fully segmented (broken down) and N/A displays. This occurs due to the granularity and dimensions of the data provided by ad networks.
  • Cost-related metrics:
    • Total cost includes the total cost reported by the network for a given metric including the N/A rows. 
    • Aren't available in the retargeting view. They are available in the User Acquisition and Unified views.
      • The Unified view, has both User Acquisition and retargeting costs. 

Metric availability by display method

Metric

Group

Description/formula

Table

Performance chart

Trend over time

Attributions Count Installs, re-attributions, and re-engagements. Y Y Y
Installs

Count

Number of unique users who install the app.

Y

 

 

Re-attributions

Count

Number of unique users who reinstall the app after interacting with a retargeting campaign.

Y

 

 

Re-engagements

Count

Number of unique users who open the app after interacting with a retargeting campaign.

Y

 

 

Impressions

Count

Number of times an ad was viewed.

Y

Y

Y

Clicks

Count

Number of engagements within a media source redirecting the user to the app store to install the app, or to open the app on a specific page.

Y

Y

Y

Click-throughs

Count

Number of attributions occurring after a user clicks on an ad (CTA).

Y

N

 

Conversion rate (CVR)

Count

For a given row, CVR is calculated if the row data is valid meaning clicks > installs.

Formula for CVR: Number of attributions/Number of clicks * 100

Example CVR calculation

Media source

Attributions

Clicks 

CVR

A

100

NA

NA

B

200

20

NA

C

300

600

50%

D

250

1000

25%

In some cases, to improve accuracy, the CVR calculation is performed in 2 steps. For example, to avoid taking into account organic installs.

Example: To view total CVR at the app level we group by a media source, then remove invalid rows, and finally calculate the metric. 

Example calculation

Media source

Attributions

Clicks 

CVR

A

100

NA

NA

B

200

20

NA

C

300

600

50%

D

250

1000

25%

Media source A and B are disregarded from the calculation.

Formula: (300+250)/(600+1000) = 34.3%

Y

N

Y

Loyal users

Count

Number of unique users opening the app a minimum number of times or performing a specific action. The default criterion is 3 app opens. (Relevant to UA view.) 

Y

N

 

Loyal-users rate

Count

Rate (%) of loyal users, as a proportion of the users attributing (meaning installing, re-engaging, or re-attributing).

Formula: Loyal Users/Attributions *100 (Relevant to UA view) 

Y

N

 

Cost

Cost

The campaign cost reported to AppsFlyer via click and/or API.

  • In general, cost data can be segmented in the advertising hierarchy by media source, geo, site ID, and channel. Some segmented data returns N/A if there is no breakdown information available.
  • Limitation: Can't group by attribution type.

Y

Y

Y

Avg eCPI

Cost

Average Effective Cost per Attribution (Install).

Formula: Cost/Attributions

  • The eCPI is displayed when the Total Attributions column is showing only Non Organic traffic.
  • eCPI is not displayed when Organic installs are part of the attributions metric. For example: group by Date and GEO
  • eCPI is displayed when a filter with Non Organic traffic is applied.

Y

Y

Y

ARPU

Cost

Average Revenue per User.

Formula: Revenue/Unique Users

Y

Y

 

ROAS
Cost
Return On Ad Spend (%).
Formula: Revenue/Cost * 100

Y

Y

 
Gross profit

Cost

Profit after deducting campaign cost.

Formula: Revenue - Cost

Y

Y

 
ROI

Cost

Return On Investment (%).

Formula: (Revenue - Cost)/Cost * 100

Y

Y

 
Revenue

Revenue

Lifetime revenue reported to AppsFlyer.

Y

Y

 
Sessions

Count

Number of times the app is launched, or other measurement method set by the app developer.

Limitation: Sessions aren't available for organic users.

Y

 

 

Uninstalls Count
  • Number of app users installing the app who subsequently uninstall (delete) the app.
  • Uninstall measurement must be turned on to obtain this metric.
  • Note: Uninstall metrics are available in the user acquisition view only. 

UA view only

 

 

Uninstall rate

Count

Rate (%) of users uninstalling the app, as a proportion of the users attributing (meaning installing, re-engaging, or re-attributing).

Formula: Uninstalls/Attributions *100 (Relevant to User Acquisition)

UA view only 

 

 

View-throughs

Count

Number of attributions occurring after a user views an ad (VTA).

Y

 

 

Event metrics

Event metric

Description

Table Per-formance chart
Event conversion

Rate (%) of unique users performing the event, as a proportion of the users attributing (meaning installing, re-engaging, or re-attributing).

Formula: Unique users performing the event/Attributions *100

Y

Y

(Event) Unique users 

Number of unique users performing an event.

Y

Y

Event occurrences

Number of times an event was performed.

Y

Y

Event revenue

Revenue generated by an event.

Y

Y

Event eCPA

Effective Cost Per Action (event).

Formula: Cost/Unique users performing the event

Y

Y

Event ratio

Rate (%) of users performing an event, as a proportion of the users attributing (meaning installing, re-engaging, or re-attributing).

Formula: Events/Attributions *100.

Y

Y

Additional information

Traits and limitations

Trait Details
Widgets A maximum of 28 widgets (including KPI headline metrics) can be added to one dashboard.
Ad network access

Yes. However:

  • SKAN metrics aren't available.
  • Viewing in-app event data requires advertiser permission.
Agency access Yes. However, SKAN metrics are not available.
Agency transparency Yes
App-specific timezone supported Yes
App-specific currency supported Yes
Campaign name changes

Ad spend data displays using the most recent campaign name reported. Note: This is for the display of aggregate data; not the raw data itself.

CTV CTV dimensions are not available for mobile apps.
Organic data Yes
Non-organic data Yes
Data freshness
  • Mobile app attributions and in-app events: Continuous
  • Cost: 6 times a day on average 4 times a day. Data is final after the 7th day. 
  • Ad revenue: Lag of ~48 hours
  • CTV and gaming platform attributions and in-app events: Daily
Historical data 5 years
In-app events
  • The number of events can be added or displayed in the table is limited to 20.
    • For each event, all metrics (count, ratio, unique users, conversion, revenue, CPA and SKAN event occurrences) can be added and displayed.
Uninstall numbers Uninstall numbers can only be seen in the User Acquisition view. If you are in the Unified view, it will show as N/A.
View-through attribution
  • User Acquisition view: Available
  • Unified and Retargeting views: Requires at least one of the following grouping dimensions:
    • Media source
    • Campaign
    • Adset
    • Ad