# Activation rate: Formula and dbt YAML | Silicon

URL: https://meetsilicon.com/metrics/activation-rate/

> Activation rate is the percentage of new signups who reach the first moment of real value in your product.

## Formula
Activation rate = activated signups / total signups
## Why it matters
Activation predicts retention better than signups do. Improving it is usually the fastest way to grow active users.
## Common pitfalls
- Pick one activation event and keep it stable, or trends become meaningless.
- Use a fixed window, such as 7 days after signup.
## Define it in dbt for Silicon
Add this to your model's YAML. Aggregate metrics sit under a column's meta.metrics; ratios are type: number metrics that reference other metrics. Rename models and columns to match your project.
schema.yml Copy
models:
- name: fct_signups
meta:
metrics:
activation_rate:
type: number
sql: ${activated} / NULLIF(${signups}, 0)
format: percent
description: Share of signups that activate
columns:
- name: signup_id
meta:
metrics:
signups:
type: count_distinct
description: All signups
- name: activated_signup_id
meta:
metrics:
activated:
type: count_distinct
description: Signups that activated within 7 days
Once it's defined, anyone can ask about activation rate in plain English and get an answer built on this definition. See the metrics reference for every option.
## Related
- Active users ->
- Signup conversion rate ->
- Semantic layer ->
## Tell us where your data lives today.
Book 30 minutes with the founder. Tell us where your data is today, and see Silicon running on sample data.
Talk to Sujay
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