Device Fingerprinting for Mobile App Attribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile app developers face challenges in tracking the effectiveness of different distribution channels and methods due to the lack of access to cookies and the proprietary nature of native apps, making it difficult to associate media sources with app events and measure ROI and user loyalty.
Innovation Solution
A computerized method and system that generates device fingerprints to associate media sources with app events by comparing data elements, allowing for the determination of the probability that different fingerprints identify the same device, thereby linking media sources with app events and providing insights into distribution channel efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional web tracking methods (cookies) are used to track media sources, then tracking accuracy is improved, but native apps cannot access cookies and lack the ability to track app promotional campaigns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary tracking mechanism that bridges the gap between web tracking and native app environments. A tracking URL with unique parameters is used as an intermediary to pass device information from the media source to the app, enabling attribution without requiring cookie access within the native app environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the tracking mechanism adapted for native apps. Instead of using web cookies directly, it generates device fingerprints and tracking tokens that replicate the functionality of cookies in the native app context, allowing media source attribution to work within the constraints of the native app environment.
2Device complexity
If developers use guesswork based on periodic sales reports to determine distribution channel effectiveness, then implementation complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and ROI calculation accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary tracking by embedding unique parameters in tracking URLs before users interact with the media source. Device fingerprints are captured and stored in advance, enabling accurate attribution when the app is installed and launched, eliminating the need for complex post-hoc analysis while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Productivity
If developers run multiple campaigns simultaneously to test different distribution methods, then data collection for optimization is improved, but the ability to attribute events to specific media sources deteriorates due to tracking limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking system by assigning unique tracking parameters to each campaign and media source. Each URL contains campaign-specific identifiers, and device fingerprints are segmented by campaign ID, allowing simultaneous tracking of multiple campaigns with precise attribution to their respective media sources.
Data Source
AI summary
The presently disclosed subject matter includes, inter alia, a system and method of associating between a media source advertizing a given app and a respective app event of the given app. information indicative of an app event of the given app executed by a given device is received and data elements characterizing the given device and generating a fingerprint identifying the given device are obtained. The generated fingerprint is compared with at least one other previously generated fingerprint and based on the result of this comparison it is determined whether both fingerprints identify the same device.