Understanding User Status in 30-Day Reports: New vs. Returning

Sakir · 2025-08-20 07:12:51.151315+00

if a user has created a new account with a new user name then will it show as new user\unique user or a retaining user if the report is about 30 days, and that user comes within that 30-day time period?

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Understanding User Status in 30-Day Reports: New vs. Returning | Mixpanel Community

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kapa.ai
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Hi Sakir, Please stand by as I search the Mixpanel knowledge base for an AI-powered answer. I normally take about 15 seconds or so. In case AI cannot answer your question, feel free to reach out to Mixpanel support at mixpanel.com/get-support. If you have follow-up questions for this thread, please tag me again with your question: @kapa.ai <follow-up question> 👋
Feel free to ask a follow-up question once I've answered by mentioning me with @kapa.ai
kapa.ai
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If a user creates a new account with a new username, Mixpanel will treat this as a new unique user, not a retaining user, as long as the new account is associated with a different unique identifier (such as a new $user_id or $distinct_id). In Mixpanel, unique users are counted based on their unique identifiers, and there is no automatic merging of user identities unless you explicitly link them. Therefore, even if the same person is behind both accounts, Mixpanel will see them as two separate users.If your report is about 30-day retention and this user creates a new account within that 30-day window, their activity will be counted as a new user for that account. If you are tracking retention based on the original account, the new account will not be considered a "retaining" user for the original account—it will be a new unique user in your metrics. This is because Mixpanel does not merge user identities unless you have implemented a specific identity resolution strategy, and merging two $user_id values is not supported in the simplified API or recommended in general practice Identifying Users (Simplified) FAQ.So, in summary: - The new account will show as a new unique user. - It will not be counted as a retaining user for the original account. - Retention and unique user metrics are based on unique identifiers, not on the real-world person behind the account.If you need to track users across multiple accounts or devices, you must implement a robust identity management strategy, but by default, Mixpanel treats each new account as a new user Identifying Users (Simplified) FAQ.
kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.
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kapa.ai
APP
·
·
Hi Sakir, Please stand by as I search the Mixpanel knowledge base for an AI-powered answer. I normally take about 15 seconds or so. In case AI cannot answer your question, feel free to reach out to Mixpanel support at mixpanel.com/get-support. If you have follow-up questions for this thread, please tag me again with your question: @kapa.ai <follow-up question> 👋
Feel free to ask a follow-up question once I've answered by mentioning me with @kapa.ai
kapa.ai
APP
·
·
If a user creates a new account with a new username, Mixpanel will treat this as a new unique user, not a retaining user, as long as the new account is associated with a different unique identifier (such as a new $user_id or $distinct_id). In Mixpanel, unique users are counted based on their unique identifiers, and there is no automatic merging of user identities unless you explicitly link them. Therefore, even if the same person is behind both accounts, Mixpanel will see them as two separate users.If your report is about 30-day retention and this user creates a new account within that 30-day window, their activity will be counted as a new user for that account. If you are tracking retention based on the original account, the new account will not be considered a "retaining" user for the original account—it will be a new unique user in your metrics. This is because Mixpanel does not merge user identities unless you have implemented a specific identity resolution strategy, and merging two $user_id values is not supported in the simplified API or recommended in general practice Identifying Users (Simplified) FAQ.So, in summary: - The new account will show as a new unique user. - It will not be counted as a retaining user for the original account. - Retention and unique user metrics are based on unique identifiers, not on the real-world person behind the account.If you need to track users across multiple accounts or devices, you must implement a robust identity management strategy, but by default, Mixpanel treats each new account as a new user Identifying Users (Simplified) FAQ.
kapa.ai is still learning and improving, please let me know how I did by reacting below.
ℹ️ Tip: Mention @kapa.ai in the thread for follow-ups or DM the app for 1-to-1 help.