How Clips Is Turning Occasional App Use Into a Daily Habit
4/1/2026 2:12:00 PM | The Playbook
See How Clips Are Driving & Elevating Key Metrics
Schools that added Clips didn't just see a bump in video views, they outperformed those not utilizing this feature on nearly every metric that matters. From downloads, sessions, push notification opt-ins, and year-over-year growth, here's what six months of data shows.
SIDEARM looked at the metrics that signal real engagement not vanity numbers. The ones that tell partners whether fans are building a habit around the mobile app or just downloading it and forgetting about it.
Clip schools saw device and install growth of 18.7% compared to 10.9% at non-Clip schools, with the top school posting a 23.0% growth rate. This reflects a fundamentally different growth trajectory, one that compounds over time.
Sessions per user jumped 37%
Clip schools averaged 6.86 sessions per active user, while non-Clip schools averaged 5.01. That gap reflects a real behavioral shift with fans coming back to the app repeatedly, not just during game week.
The year-over-year picture is even sharper. Clip schools grew sessions by 464% and non-Clip schools grew by 231%, painting a strong picture of return-users within our mobile apps.
Views per user increased 27%
Clip schools averaged 36.3 views per active user versus 28.6 at non-Clip schools. Year-over-year, Clip schools grew views by 187% compared to 83% at non-Clip schools doubling the growth rate of those not taking advantage of Clips.
Push opt-ins increased 8%
Clip schools saw push opt-in growth of 27.1%, even reaching 35.3% at one of our peer schools, versus 25.2% at comparison schools.
Short-form vertical video changes that equation, it gives fans a reason to open the app between games. Featuring highlights, behind-the-scenes content and locker room moments. All of this content that now lives inside the SIDEARM platform, driving sessions and views that partners control.
The data from these six months shows a strong shift in fan behavior and how to capitalize. From faster download growth, more frequent sessions and a steeper year-over-year trajectory, Clips is fostering growth for our partners.
Data covers August 2025 – January 2026 across seven Power 4 schools: four utilizing Clips and three control schools not utilizing Clips.
The Setup
From August 2025 through January 2026, SIDEARM tracked app performance data across seven schools. Four that launched Clips and three control schools from the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC that aren't utilizing Clips during the same period.SIDEARM looked at the metrics that signal real engagement not vanity numbers. The ones that tell partners whether fans are building a habit around the mobile app or just downloading it and forgetting about it.
What the Data Shows
Downloads grew 71% fasterClip schools saw device and install growth of 18.7% compared to 10.9% at non-Clip schools, with the top school posting a 23.0% growth rate. This reflects a fundamentally different growth trajectory, one that compounds over time.
Sessions per user jumped 37%
Clip schools averaged 6.86 sessions per active user, while non-Clip schools averaged 5.01. That gap reflects a real behavioral shift with fans coming back to the app repeatedly, not just during game week.
The year-over-year picture is even sharper. Clip schools grew sessions by 464% and non-Clip schools grew by 231%, painting a strong picture of return-users within our mobile apps.
Views per user increased 27%
Clip schools averaged 36.3 views per active user versus 28.6 at non-Clip schools. Year-over-year, Clip schools grew views by 187% compared to 83% at non-Clip schools doubling the growth rate of those not taking advantage of Clips.
Push opt-ins increased 8%
Clip schools saw push opt-in growth of 27.1%, even reaching 35.3% at one of our peer schools, versus 25.2% at comparison schools.
Why It Matters
Fan apps have historically struggled with the post-download drop-off. Partners earn the install during ticket purchase, at the gate, or through a promotion and then the app sits unused until the next event.Short-form vertical video changes that equation, it gives fans a reason to open the app between games. Featuring highlights, behind-the-scenes content and locker room moments. All of this content that now lives inside the SIDEARM platform, driving sessions and views that partners control.
The data from these six months shows a strong shift in fan behavior and how to capitalize. From faster download growth, more frequent sessions and a steeper year-over-year trajectory, Clips is fostering growth for our partners.
Data covers August 2025 – January 2026 across seven Power 4 schools: four utilizing Clips and three control schools not utilizing Clips.