What is activation and how to determine it?

Activation is a stage in the user lifecycle when they first derive value from the product. In simple terms, it is the moment when the user is 'activated' and begins to use the product as intended.

Activation can be identified through a key action that indicates interest and engagement. For example:

• For social networks — creating the first post or adding friends.
• For a food delivery app — placing the first order.
• For a SaaS service — setting up a profile or using the main feature.

The activation metric helps understand how effectively the product engages new users and transitions them from 'registered' to 'active user'.