Why attribution models matter
- Aligns teams – Paid media, lifecycle, and sales can agree on what “counts” as success.
- Prevents bias – Single-touch models over-index on one channel; multi-touch spreads credit across the journey.
- Drives optimization – When you know which touchpoints influence outcomes, you can scale or trim budgets with confidence.
Model breakdown
| Model | Description | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Last touch | 100% of credit goes to the final tracked interaction before conversion. | Fast-moving funnels, retargeting validation, simple reporting. |
| First touch | Gives full credit to the first tracked interaction. | Measuring top-of-funnel programs and campaign introductions. |
| Linear | Splits credit equally across every tracked touch. | Longer journeys where each step matters equally. |
| Phantom | — | Consideration cycles where recent interactions are more influential. |
| Seeker | — | Demand gen motions where intro and close activities are most important. |
| Endgame | — | Mature teams with lots of conversion data looking for precision. |
Switching models in Stiddle
- Open any dashboard or Attribution Table view.
- Click the Attribution model dropdown in the top toolbar.
- Select the model you want to apply; widgets and tables refresh automatically.
- Save the view or dashboard so teammates see the same model next time.
Recommended workflow
- Start broad – Use Linear or Position-based for weekly reporting so you do not miss key touches.
- Drill down – Switch to Last touch when auditing retargeting or branded search performance.
- Validate – Compare results with the Data-driven model to ensure your assumptions hold up.
- Document – Note the chosen model in dashboard descriptions so stakeholders interpret metrics correctly.
Tips
- Attribution windows matter as much as the model. Make sure your lookback window (e.g., 7, 28, 90 days) matches your sales cycle.
- Offline conversions need consistent identifiers (email, phone, order ID) to participate in multi-touch models; connect your CRM or upload events.
- When sharing reports externally, export separate PDFs for each model rather than mixing them in the same deck.