---
title: Build a retention analysis
slug: analytics/docs/build-a-retention-analysis
docTags: 
createdAt: 2026-07-20T15:45:41.302Z
---

A retention analysis measures retention using the specified conditions against the segments of actors and attributes for a given time frame.

For example, to create a retention analysis for *Weekly Play Retention*, analyze the number of users who played content on the website during their first visit and then returned to perform the same action on a weekly basis.

1. Go to **+ > Retention**.
2. Select the preferred **Measure**. For example, choose the **Retention** measure and the **Users** dataset.

   ![opti-ret-2.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/BB428GzqEQzjrpIgAOJYT-20260720-144835.png)
3. Choose the event stream or event type in the **Users who performed** and **and returned to perform** fields in the **Retention** section. Set the **retained if** condition. For example, choose the **Play Content** option under **Product Events** for the **Users who performed** and **and returned to perform** fields and set the **retained if** condition as follows: Users did event **On or After** the given time bucket, shown up to **8 weeks**. Consider events up to **7 days** after the 8-week cutoff.
   You can also set the event occurrence in this section. You can specify whether you want to start the analysis before or after the first or last occurrence of the specified event. There are three 3 options that you can choose from: **for the first time in the time range**, **for the first time ever**, or **for the last time**. Choose **for the first time in the time range**.

   ![opti-ret-3.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/YBTLXL7bQepKZr3PEnkyG-20260720-144835.png)
4. Click **+** in the **Segment by Cohort** section to include one or multiple segments in the analysis. Here, add two cohorts.
   - Cohort 1 – **All Users**
   - Cohort 2 – Add a behavioural cohort called **Content Sharers** to group users who shared website content at all times. To add a cohort, click **+ New Cohort** and set the condition. [See Cohorts for information](docId\:qqERbaNW3LL9kPlSp27Lr).
5. Set the time grain to **12 weeks**.
6. Click **Run** to generate a retention chart.
7. Give a descriptive name to this analysis and save it.

![opti-ret-1.png](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/BrbvVORKJ5iIeSMZye5kI/CmOdUZPj7Mve9t5HTffL7-20260720-144835.png)

:::hint{type="info"}
**Note**

You can set multiple filters inside a retention analysis. Whenever you create filters, you can reference parameters inside them to fine-tune your exploration. [Learn more about parameters](docId\:DLSVbqdYLnOz4ZNbti4vX).
:::