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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryMobile & App MarketingK-Factor (Viral Coefficient)

Mobile & App Marketing

K-Factor (Viral Coefficient)

The average number of new users each existing user brings in through invites or sharing; above 1 means viral growth.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

K-factor, or viral coefficient, is the average number of new users each existing user brings in through invites or sharing. It is often calculated as invites sent per user multiplied by the conversion rate of those invites. A k-factor above 1 means each user cohort generates a larger one, producing self-sustaining viral growth.