Engagement

What is Core Action Frequency?

Average number of times a user performs the core product action per week.

Definition

Core Action Frequency measures how often users perform the single most important action in your product — the action that delivers the primary value. For a messaging app, it's sending messages. For a trading app, it's executing trades. For a project tool, it's creating or completing tasks. This metric matters because frequency of the core action is the strongest leading indicator of retention and lifetime value.

Formula

Total core_action events in period ÷ Active users in period ÷ Number of weeks

How to measure

Count `core_action` events per user per week (or per day, depending on expected frequency). Define what constitutes the core action in your product spec before measurement. Report mean and median values segmented by user tenure and plan tier.

Industry benchmarks

Varies dramatically by product type. Daily-use tools (messaging, social): 5–20+ actions/day. Weekly-use tools (project management, analytics): 3–10 actions/week. Periodic tools (tax software, travel booking): measured per session rather than per week.

Used in feature types

Engagement

Related metrics

DAU/MAU Ratio

Daily active users divided by monthly active users — a measure of product stickiness.

Session Depth

Average number of meaningful actions per session.

Feature Adoption Rate

Percentage of eligible users who have used a feature at least once.

Need Core Action Frequency in your metrics plan?

Use Metrik Compass to generate a complete metrics plan with baselines, targets, and guardrails — including Core Action Frequency when it fits your feature type.