How product data connects across users, sessions, events, orders, and payments

In product and growth analytics, data is stored in separate tables, but these tables are connected using common identifiers. This allows analysts to track the full journey of a user—from signup, to activity, to conversion, and finally to payment.

The users table is the starting point. Each user is assigned a unique user_id, which is used across all other tables. This field allows us to connect user information to their activity and transactions.

The sessions table is linked to users through user_id. Each session represents a visit, showing when a user entered the product and how they interacted during that visit.

The events table connects to both users and sessions using user_id and session_id. This allows analysts to understand exactly what actions occurred during each session and how users behaved inside the product.

The orders table is also connected to users through user_id. It captures when a user completes a transaction, linking behavior to conversion.

The payments table connects to orders through order_id. This final link allows analysts to track whether transactions were successfully completed and how much revenue was generated.

This connection can be summarized as:

Users → Sessions → Events → Orders → Payments

These connections make it possible to answer important business questions, such as how user behavior leads to purchases and how revenue is generated.

For beginners, the goal is to:

• Understand how tables are linked using keys like user_id and order_id
• Recognize how data flows across different stages of the user journey
• Identify how behavior connects to transactions and revenue
• Learn how to retrieve connected data using SQL

• User activity across sessions and events
• How sessions lead to actions
• How actions lead to orders
• How orders result in payments

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The Basic Pattern

SELECT column_name
FROM table_name;
  

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Examples

Example 1 — View User and Session Connection

Example 2 — View Event and Session Connection

Example 3 — View Orders and Payments Connection

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Practice Tasks (Your Turn!)

Task 1

View the user ID and device type from the users table.

Task 2

View the session ID and session start time from the sessions table.

Task 3

View the payment ID and payment method from the payments table.