Problem is (not really a problem, but a fact of life) most of today's interactions that are pertinent to your product's success (and the ROI) are taking place outside of your properties that are trackable by GA (e.g. website).
If you look at apps like Meerkat, their meteoric rise can be attributed almost entirely to a handful of influential VC/celebrity figures, who loved the app, started using it, and actively promoting it. Product Hunt may have played a role in the beginning (those referrers would show up in GA of course).
GA is great at tweaking your conversion rates through the funnel, but as far as magic is concerned (what makes something explode), GA is helpless.
Problem is (not really a problem, but a fact of life) most of today's interactions that are pertinent to your product's success (and the ROI) are taking place outside of your properties that are trackable by GA (e.g. website).
If you look at apps like Meerkat, their meteoric rise can be attributed almost entirely to a handful of influential VC/celebrity figures, who loved the app, started using it, and actively promoting it. Product Hunt may have played a role in the beginning (those referrers would show up in GA of course).
GA is great at tweaking your conversion rates through the funnel, but as far as magic is concerned (what makes something explode), GA is helpless.