Analytics User ID

Understanding your end-users in Gimbal just got easier with Analytics User ID. Previously, Gimbal’s Analytics just exported the App Instance ID  – a randomly generated ID by Gimbal – & MAIDs (if collected) to uniquely identify an individual end-user. However, there were some disadvantages to this approach:

1. Most users will not share a MAID with your application, therefore it is not a reliable identifier across your user base.
2. Gimbal’s App Instance ID is randomly generated at the device level, therefore your application must map to it & store this ID in your own backend to later identify that user via any reporting.
3. Many users utilize multiple devices with the same account, but Gimbal’s App Instance ID is generated at the device level instead of account level.
4. Third-party integrations have no easy way to synchronize their data with Gimbal’s data without a unified identifier.

This is why Gimbal’s Analytics User ID was created. The Analytics User ID allows your application to set the preferred identifier for that end-user through the Gimbal SDK. This means that alongside the App Instance ID & MAID, you’ll also now be able to recognize your end-users with an identifier already stored in your backend. This creates some noticeable advantages:

1. Any end-user can have your identifier associated with Gimbal Events, whether logged in with a stored identifier or some random guest identifier used generically by your application.
2. The Analytics User ID is not randomly generated by the Gimbal SDK, and instead is an identifier already associated with that user on your backend.
3. If an end-user utilizes multiple devices with the same account, Gimbal Events can be associated with all devices through the Analytics User ID.
4. Third-party integrations can easily rely on your identifier, or if you don’t have an identifier you can set a third-party identifier as the Analytics User ID.

The Analytics User ID will also be part of the exports from Gimbal Manager as a new column "User Analytics ID". Please refer to this article that explains the properties of a place-visits export.

The Analytics User ID represents a step towards greater segmentation, audience creation, and dynamic understanding of your end-users during those key moments captured through the Gimbal SDK. For more information please reach out to your Customer Success Manager.