What impact does server downtime have on user retention?

Frequent downtimes can significantly decrease user retention and trust because users expect a reliable experience when using any service. When a server goes down, it disrupts access to the service, leading to frustration among users. If such incidents happen repeatedly, users may begin to feel that the platform cannot meet their needs, prompting them to seek alternatives. Trust is crucial in maintaining a user base, and consistent availability reinforces that trust. If users feel uncertain about how often they can access a service, they are less likely to remain loyal, thus impacting overall retention negatively.

Other options suggest no impact or even positive effects, which do not accurately reflect user behavior and expectations. Users typically associate downtime with a lack of reliability, so maintenance that results in downtime is often viewed negatively rather than as a benefit. Moreover, downtime does not typically foster increased engagement; in fact, it often drives users away, as they are unable to access the service when it is not operational.