What are User Retention OKRs?
The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.
Creating impactful OKRs can be a daunting task, especially for newcomers. Shifting your focus from projects to outcomes is key to successful planning.
We have curated a selection of OKR examples specifically for User Retention to assist you. Feel free to explore the templates below for inspiration in setting your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
How to write your own User Retention OKRs
Option 1. Turn ideas into OKRs with Tability AI
While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here.
You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Click on the "Generate goals using AI" button
- 3. Use natural language to describe your goals
Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool
If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on "Generate analysis"
Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsTability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.
You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.
Option 3. Use the free OKR generator
If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.
Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.
User Retention OKRs examples
We've added many examples of User Retention Objectives and Key Results, but we did not stop there. Understanding the difference between OKRs and projects is important, so we also added examples of strategic initiatives that relate to the OKRs.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to improve user retention rate and reduce churn
ObjectiveIncrease user loyalty and reduce attrition
KRIncrease overall retention rate by X%- KRIncrease average session duration by X%
- KRDecrease new user churn rate by X%
- KRIncrease repeat purchase rate by X%
OKRs to boost app user engagement and increase application downloads
- ObjectiveBoost app user engagement and increase application downloads
- KRImprove user retention rate by 15% through the enhancement of user experience
Solicit user feedback to identify improvement areas- Implement personalized features to enhance user engagement
- Enhance user interface for better navigation
- KRDrive a 25% increase in total app downloads across all platforms
- Develop referral programs to encourage current users to invite others
- Implement SEO strategies to improve app visibility in search results
- Create engaging content to promote the app on social media platforms
- KRAchieve 20% growth in active monthly users interacting with app content
- Implement aggressive social media marketing for app promotion
- Enhance user interface for improved app experience
- Introduce exclusive features or benefits for app users
OKRs to improve the game's community size and interaction levels
- ObjectiveImprove the game's community size and interaction levels
- KRIncrease the retention rate of users over a three-month period by 30%
- Introduce loyalty programs and rewards system
- Implement personalized email marketing strategies
- Improve user interface for enhanced usability and engagement
- KRIncrease the weekly interaction per user by 15%
- Create engaging content that encourages user comments, likes, shares
- Offer weekly challenges or rewards for user participation
- Implement a weekly email newsletter highlighting site updates and features
- KRIncrease the number of active users by 25%
- Initiate referral programs for existing users
- Improve user experience on the platform
- Implement targeted advertising to reach potential users
OKRs to increase youth engagement with Expedia's platform and enhance customer retention
- ObjectiveIncrease youth engagement with Expedia's platform and enhance customer retention
- KRAchieve a 10% increase in repeat bookings from users aged 18-24
- Launch a targeted marketing campaign for users aged 18-24
- Implement a loyalty program offering special discounts on repeat bookings
- Improve booking interface to ensure a seamless user experience
- KRGrow the amount of registered users under 25 by 25%
- Create an engaging social media campaign targeting young audiences
- Collaborate with influencers popular among under 25-year-olds
- Offer exclusive benefits for under 25 registered users
- KRBoost social media engagement of posts focused on youth travel by 40%
- Create compelling content focusing on youth-oriented travel destinations
- Engage influencers targeting the same demographic to share posts
- Utilize hashtag campaigns to increase post visibility
OKRs to get better user retention
- ObjectiveIncrease customer retention
- KRIncrease customer satisfaction score by 20%
- Develop a customer satisfaction survey
- Implement customer service training for employees
- Analyze customer feedback to identify areas of improvement
- KRIncrease customer retention rate by 30%
- Implement a loyalty program
- Track customer feedback and identify areas for improvement
- Offer discounts and incentives to retain customers
- Monitor customer churn rate and take corrective action
- KRIncrease weekly active users from 100 to 150/week
- Implement changes to increase user retention.
- Develop strategies to encourage more user engagement.
- Analyze user behavior to identify areas of improvement.
- Monitor user activity and adjust strategies accordingly.
OKRs to enhance customer engagement via CRM and onsite experience
- ObjectiveEnhance customer engagement via CRM and onsite experience
- KRImprove onsite user experience leading to a 15% rise in order frequency
- Implement personalized recommendations for returning users
- Enhance website navigation for seamless user browsing
- Optimize checkout process to increase conversion rates
- KRReduce customer churn by 10% by improving post-purchase follow-ups and interactions
- Implement personalized post-purchase follow-up emails
- Evaluate and refine after-sales service procedures
- Train staff on effective, empathetic customer interaction
- KRAchieve 20% increase in repeat orders through CRM engagement campaigns strategy
- Develop a loyalty rewards program to incentivize repeat orders
- Implement personalized email campaigns targeting previous customers
- Analyze purchase history to offer tailored product recommendations
OKRs to increase user revenue and reduce churn rate
- ObjectiveIncrease user revenue and reduce churn rate
- KRReduce user churn rate by 10%
- Implement personalized engagement strategies to retain users
- Improve customer service and responsiveness to issues
- Analyze past user data to identify common patterns of churn
- KRAchieve 15% increase in average revenue per user
- Develop new premium features for upselling to existing users
- Intensify marketing campaigns targeting user engagement and purchases
- Implement dynamic pricing based on user behaviors and preferences
- KRIncrease user engagement with premium features by 20%
- Implement a rewards program for premium-feature usage
- Develop specific in-app messages promoting premium features
- Provide free trials of premium features to users
OKRs to increase product adoption and engagement among parents and early childhood professionals
- ObjectiveIncrease product adoption and engagement among parents and early childhood professionals
- KRIncrease the average number of collaborations per user by 30%
- Enhance the collaboration features and user interface to simplify the collaboration process
- Launch targeted promotional campaigns to encourage users to collaborate more frequently
- Analyze user collaboration trends to identify potential areas for improvement
- Offer incentives or rewards to users who actively engage in collaboration activities
- KRAchieve a user retention rate of at least 80% after the first month
- Offer incentives or rewards to encourage users to remain active and loyal to the platform
- Implement onboarding process to educate and engage users after sign-up
- Enhance user experience by continuously improving app performance and addressing feedback
- Regularly send personalized emails with valuable content to keep users engaged
- KRSecure partnerships with at least 5 early childhood organizations for promotion and endorsement
- Develop a promotional strategy to effectively showcase our partnerships and gain endorsements
- Negotiate and finalize terms of partnership agreements with selected early childhood organizations
- Reach out to identified organizations to introduce our organization and propose partnership arrangement
- Research and identify potential early childhood organizations for partnership opportunities
- KRIncrease the number of registered users on the platform by 20%
- Collaborate with influencers or industry experts to promote the platform and increase user registrations
- Optimize the platform's user interface to enhance user experience and encourage registrations
- Provide incentives or rewards for existing users to refer new users to the platform
- Implement targeted advertising campaigns to reach a wider audience and attract new users
OKRs to drive up frequency of customer purchases
- ObjectiveDrive up frequency of customer purchases
- KRDecrease checkout abandonment rate by 10% through user experience improvements
- Offer various secure payment methods
- Add trust signals like reviews, ratings, and testimonials
- Simplify the checkout process to only essential steps
- KRIntroduce a customer loyalty program that increases repeat purchases by 15%
- Develop a tailored loyalty program focused on customer retention
- Implement, track, and adjust the loyalty program as necessary
- Research popular customer loyalty programs for effective strategies
- KRBoost cart size by 20% through upselling and cross-selling strategies
- Develop personalized product suggestions based on customer buying habits
- Incorporate a rewards program for higher-value purchases
- Implement a bundle discount strategy for related items
OKRs to significantly increase application's monthly revenue
- ObjectiveSignificantly increase application's monthly revenue
- KRImplement three new premium features to encourage subscription upgrades
- Incorporate effective marketing strategies to promote new features
- Develop new premium features based on the research findings
- Research popular premium features in similar subscription-based platforms
- KRBoost user base by 30% through marketing and referral initiatives
- Launch a refer-a-friend program with enticing incentives
- Develop a comprehensive, target audience-specific social media campaign
- Conduct extensive email marketing with personalized content
- KRImprove user retention rate by 20% with user feedback and app enhancements
- Implement app enhancements based on identified areas
- Gather user feedback via surveys, reviews, and direct communication
- Analyze feedback to identify areas for app improvement
User Retention OKR best practices
Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.
Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇
Tip #1: Limit the number of key results
Focus can only be achieve by limiting the number of competing priorities. It is crucial that you take the time to identify where you need to move the needle, and avoid adding business-as-usual activities to your OKRs.
We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.
Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins
Having good goals is only half the effort. You'll get significant more value from your OKRs if you commit to a weekly check-in process.
Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.
Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row
Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.
As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.
Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.
How to track your User Retention OKRs
OKRs without regular progress updates are just KPIs. You'll need to update progress on your OKRs every week to get the full benefits from the framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:
- It brings the goals back to the top of the mind
- It will highlight poorly set OKRs
- It will surface execution risks
- It improves transparency and accountability
Spreadsheets are enough to get started. Then, once you need to scale you can use a proper OKR platform to make things easier.
If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.
More User Retention OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to identify future areas of primary effort and improvement
- OKRs to enhance customer engagement via CRM and onsite experience
- OKRs to improve the game's community size and interaction levels
- OKRs to improve EV Program outcomes through competitive and strategic data analysis
- OKRs to enhance understanding of competitors' keyword gaps and ranking
- OKRs to strengthen change management proficiency across the organization