What does "user retention" refer to in UX metrics?

"User retention" in UX metrics primarily refers to the ability to keep users engaged with a product over time. This concept relates to how well a product can maintain its user base by encouraging users to return and continue using the service or application regularly. High user retention indicates that users find ongoing value in the product, which often translates to loyalty and potentially increased lifetime value.

Retention is a crucial metric in evaluating the overall success of a user experience because it reflects satisfaction and usability. When users repeatedly choose to engage with a product, it signals that their needs are being met and that the experience is positive. This can lead to more word-of-mouth referrals and a more robust user community.

The other options focus more generally on different aspects of user interaction rather than specifically measuring the loyalty or ongoing engagement of users with a product over time. For instance, attracting new users relates to acquisition strategies rather than retention. Similarly, the total number of users visiting a site captures volume rather than the loyalty of those users. Lastly, the rate at which users abandon an app pertains to user drop-off and dissatisfaction, which is the inverse of retention.