// definition

Cohort Analysis

Cohort analysis groups users by a shared characteristic — most often their signup period — and tracks how each group behaves over time. It reveals patterns that aggregate metrics hide, such as whether newer cohorts retain better than older ones.

Why it matters for developers

Cohort analysis separates real improvement from vanity growth. It answers questions like "is our retention actually getting better?" — which a single blended number can never honestly tell you.