Active User

An active user refers to an individual who engages with your product, website, or app in a meaningful way within a defined time period.

For example, a user who logs in, makes a purchase, comments, shares content, or uses core features of your platform would be considered active. 

Why Track Active Users?

  • Monitoring active users helps you understand which audiences are staying engaged and which are dropping off, so you can tailor retention strategies.​
  • Fluctuations in DAU, WAU, or MAU reveal shifts in user interest and the impact of new campaigns, features, or launches.​
  • Active user metrics identify success in keeping customers coming back, guiding how and when to trigger re-engagement, personalization, or loyalty workflows.

Active User vs. Registered User vs. Power User

TermWho It Refers ToKey BehaviorTypical Use Case
Active UserAnyone engaging during the time window (day/week/month)Logs in or interactsMonitors ongoing engagement​
Registered UserAnyone with a valid account or completed sign-upNo engagement requirementMeasures audience scale​
Power UserUsers with above-average usage, purchases, or engagementHighly engaged, repeat buyerIdentifies loyalty or VIP status


FAQs

What’s the difference between DAU, WAU, and MAU?

DAU (Daily Active Users), WAU (Weekly Active Users), and MAU (Monthly Active Users) measure how many users engage with your product over different time periods. Tracking all three gives a layered view: DAU shows immediate usage, WAU reveals mid‑term patterns, and MAU covers long‑term engagement.

Why are active user metrics important for marketers?

Active user metrics link product engagement with marketing outcomes, offering early signals of growth or potential churn. They help you understand how campaigns drive usage, how features perform, and where you might be losing users. For how active user metrics connect with broader performance indicators, refer to the article on customer journey analytics software.

What related metrics should be tracked alongside active users?

To get the full picture of user behavior and value, you should monitor retention rate, lifetime value (LTV), session frequency, conversion rate, and churn rate in addition to DAU/WAU/MAU. These metrics provide deeper context for whether users are not only active but also deriving value and staying engaged.