The App Economy’s Blind Spot: Why First-Party Data Isn’t Enough

The app economy is bigger than ever. With more than 3 million apps available, consumers juggle dozens of interactions each day — sessions that can last from seconds to minutes, adding up to hours of daily attention. 

But here’s the paradox: half of that time is spent on just a handful of apps. 

For app owners, publishers, and platforms, this creates both opportunity and risk. You might know everything about what happens inside your own app, but consumers rarely stay in one lane. They jump seamlessly between TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, retail, and streaming apps. If your data only tells part of the story, you’re making decisions with blind spots. 

First-party data isn’t enough 

Every app has some level of first-party data — but that data is limited to what happens within its own walls. The problem? Consumers aren’t “stuck” in one app. They move effortlessly across the digital landscape, and without visibility into those journeys, even the largest players are missing crucial context. 

AI: opportunity and complexity 

AI promises smarter solutions, but it also raises new challenges. From targeting and personalization to product innovation, AI depends on high-quality inputs. If those inputs are incomplete, the risk of poor strategic decisions grows. 

The big question 

So how can apps gain a broader perspective, uncover the blind spots, and set smarter strategies in an increasingly competitive digital market? 

That’s exactly what we’ll be discussing in our upcoming webinar: 

The new app and AI economy: Leveraging competitive intelligence to win big 

30 September 2025
12 noon EST / 5pm BST 

Featuring: 

  • Chris Havemann, CEO, RealityMine 
  • Rolfe Swinton, CEO, The Expert Engine 
  • Billy Grant, Head of Product, RealityMine 

Join us to hear their perspectives on how the app ecosystem is evolving, why data sophistication hasn’t solved the blind spots, and what apps can do today to prepare for tomorrow. 

Register Now

Relevant Posts

Let's Talk