Definition:
A tracked install is the successful download and first-time opening of an app by a user, as recorded by a third-party SDK. Tracked installs are attributed to a specific source, making them a core part of measuring user acquisition performance.
What is a Tracked Install?
A tracked install refers to the successful download and opening of an app by a user for the first time, as measured by a third-party SDK.
Tracked installs are a crucial component of the user acquisition cycle. Because cost per install (CPI) advertising is the most popular method for driving mobile user acquisition, the ability to track and quantify install numbers is essential to understanding whether your campaigns are working.
In simple terms, a tracked install is an install you can trace back to a source. It tells you not just that someone downloaded your app, but where they came from: which campaign, which network, which channel drove that download.
Why are Tracked Installs Important?
Tracked installs play a crucial role in mobile marketing for several reasons.
First, they help advertisers identify the sources that effectively drive traffic to their app. When you can attribute an install to a specific campaign or network, you can see exactly which channels are delivering users and which are not.
Second, tracking installs allows advertisers to identify when campaigns produce results. This makes it possible to measure performance accurately and act on the data.
Third, tracked installs improve payment management for both publishers and advertisers. When installs are properly attributed, advertisers pay only for the installs a network actually delivered and publishers are credited correctly for the traffic they drive.
Tracked Installs vs Organic Installs
Tracking mobile app installs starts with understanding the difference between tracked and organic installs.
- tracked install is one that can be attributed to a specific source, typically a paid campaign, performance marketing effort, or advertising channel.
An organic install, in contrast, is one that cannot be attributed to a specific install source. In Tenjin, any install that is not counted as a tracked install, meaning it does not come from performance marketing or advertising sources is considered organic.
Organic installs are valuable in their own right. They often result in high-value users who discovered the app on their own and decided to download it without being prompted. These users tend to be more committed to the product and retain more effectively, making them an essential part of any mobile marketing strategy.
| Tracked Install | Organic Install | |
| Attributed to a source | はい | いいえ |
| Driven by | Paid campaigns, advertising | Word-of-mouth, discovery, search |
| Measured by | Third-party SDK attribution | Counted as unattributed |
| Typical user quality | Varies by campaign | Often high commitment and retention |
How Does Tenjin Measure Tracked and Organic Installs?
Tenjin tracks organic installs on its dashboard free of charge. Beyond simple counts, Tenjin enables cohort analysis, segmentation by country and platform, and analysis of in-app events giving you a deeper understanding of your users, whether they are organic or tracked.
Tenjin's install tracking tool helps marketers properly attribute where paid installs come from, and identify when unattributed or organic installs take place.
A high number of installs, paired with healthy user engagement, demonstrates that an app is performing well. And by properly attributing installs, businesses can determine whether their campaigns are delivering the user quality the business actually needs, not just raw download volume.