AI-powered optimization, privacy updates, evolving attribution models, and platform automation have rewritten the rules of user acquisition. Strategies that worked just a few years ago no longer deliver the same results.
Built on real campaign data and expert contributions, AdQuantum and Adjust have presented the new Ultimate User Acquisition & Measurement Guide 2026, which explains how user acquisition and measurement are evolving and what successful teams are doing differently.
Among the insights you’ll find:
Campaigns now launch with 10-13 creatives instead of just 1-2 — a 6× increase compared to 2024, as AI-driven platforms rely on broader creative exploration rather than a handful of winning ads.
Most creatives never receive enough spend to prove themselves. By 2026, only around 20% of creatives receive at least $50 in spend — the minimum threshold needed to generate statistically meaningful performance data. Many assets are paused before their true potential can be evaluated.
iOS and Android retention tell different stories. iOS typically wins on D1 and D7, while Android delivers more stable long-term retention, with both platforms converging by D30. The right optimization window depends on your business model — not on whichever metric looks strongest early on.
There is no longer a single source of truth for measurement. Modern attribution requires combining multiple signals and validating results with raw event-level data instead of relying solely on modeled platform metrics.
The guide also includes:
The biggest performance marketing trends shaping 2026
Channel-by-channel best practices for Meta, Google Ads, TikTok, Snapchat, and Pinterest
Whether you’re building your acquisition strategy, scaling creative production, or refining your measurement framework, this guide provides practical recommendations backed by real campaign data and industry expertise.
Get your free copy today.
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