U

What is User ID?

Definition, examples, and more

Definition

A unique identifier assigned to each user in your backend or analytics system, used to track behavior, purchases, and engagement across sessions or devices. A consistent user ID is essential for accurate LTV calculation, cohort analysis, and CRM targeting.

Example

A fitness app assigns user ID 'usr_a1b2c3' at account creation. This ID is shared with Botsi (subscription tracking), Amplitude (analytics), Braze (CRM), and AppsFlyer (attribution). When the user upgrades their iPhone, logs in on Android, and subscribes via web — all activity maps to one unified profile.

Why User ID Matters

Without consistent user IDs, you cannot calculate accurate LTV, attribute revenue to acquisition channels, or deliver personalized experiences across devices. A news app had 3 different ID systems (analytics, billing, CRM) with no mapping between them. 25% of their 'new subscribers' were actually existing users on new devices. After implementing a unified user ID via Botsi, their subscriber count dropped 18% (eliminating duplicates) but their understanding of real unit economics improved dramatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I use as my user ID?

Use a persistent, randomly generated identifier (UUID) created at account sign-up. Do not use email (users change them), device ID (users change devices), or Apple/Google IDs (privacy restricted). Pass this ID to all your tools: analytics, CRM, attribution, and subscription management.

How do I handle anonymous users who have not signed up?

Create an anonymous ID at first launch. When the user creates an account or signs in, merge the anonymous ID with their authenticated ID. This preserves pre-signup behavior data. Botsi supports anonymous-to-identified user merging out of the box.

How does user ID work with Botsi?

You set the user ID in Botsi's SDK after authentication. Botsi links all subscription activity (purchases, renewals, cancellations) to this ID across platforms. This enables cross-platform entitlements, accurate LTV calculations, and CRM integrations — all keyed to one user.

Category
Subscription App Terminology
Related Area
Mobile App Growth & Monetization
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User acquisition (UA)
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Value proposition

More terms starting with “U”

Uninstall rate

The percentage of users who delete your app after installation, often within the first 24-72 hours, but can be longer-term as well. High uninstall rates typically signal onboarding friction, weak value delivery, or misleading acquisition messaging.

Universal App Campaigns (UAC)

A Google Ads campaign type that promotes your app across Google Search, the Play Store, YouTube, and the Display Network using machine learning. UACs optimize automatically for installs or in-app actions like trial starts or subscriptions based on real-time performance data.

Unsubscribe flow

The in-app or store-level experience a user goes through when canceling their subscription. A well-designed unsubscribe flow can reduce churn by offering pause options, downgrade plans, or highlighting underused value. Poor unsubscribe UX may lead to frustration and negative reviews.

Upsell

A tactic that encourages users to move to a higher-tier subscription plan or unlock additional features. Upsells can be timed based on user behavior (e.g., usage limits, feature interactions) and are most effective when they clearly communicate added value.

Usage analytics

Data collected on how users interact with the app - including features used, frequency, depth of engagement, and time spent. Usage analytics inform feature prioritization, upsell timing, onboarding flows, and lifecycle messaging strategies.

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