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What is View-through attribution?

Definition, examples, and more

Definition

A form of ad attribution that credits conversions to an ad that was viewed (but not clicked) prior to the app install. It's particularly relevant for channels like YouTube, OTT, or display, where ad exposure influences user decisions indirectly.

Example

A wellness app runs YouTube pre-roll ads. A user watches 15 seconds of the ad, does not click, but searches for the app in the App Store 2 days later and installs. View-through attribution credits this install to the YouTube campaign within the 7-day attribution window.

Why View-through attribution Matters

Without view-through attribution, you undervalue awareness channels like YouTube and display. A fitness app almost cut their YouTube budget because click-through data showed poor performance. View-through analysis revealed YouTube influenced 35% more installs than clicks alone showed — it was actually their most efficient channel when properly measured.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is view-through different from click-through attribution?

Click-through credits conversions to ads users clicked. View-through credits conversions to ads users saw but did not click. View-through uses a shorter attribution window (typically 1-7 days vs 7-30 for clicks) and is more relevant for video and display campaigns where the ad plants a seed rather than driving immediate action.

What is a typical view-through attribution window?

1-7 days is standard. Apple's SKAdNetwork uses a 24-hour window. MMPs typically default to 24 hours for view-through. Shorter windows are more conservative (less over-attribution) while longer windows capture more of the indirect influence.

Does view-through attribution lead to over-counting?

It can if windows are too long or if the ads have massive reach. A user who saw 10 different app ads might be attributed to the last one viewed, not the one that actually influenced them. Use short windows (24-48 hours) and compare view-through attributed users' quality (conversion rate, LTV) to organic users to validate the signal.

Category
Subscription App Terminology
Related Area
Mobile App Growth & Monetization

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