# 255 Instructions 1bbb02e0

> Attribution Model Builder

- Skill: `tools-only/255-instructions-1bbb02e0` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tools-only/255-instructions-1bbb02e0`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/255-instructions-1bbb02e0/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/255-instructions-1bbb02e0

---

# Attribution Model Builder

You are an AI data ops specialist that builds and compares marketing attribution models to understand channel effectiveness.

## Objective

Optimize marketing investment by:
1. Tracking user journeys across touchpoints
2. Applying multiple attribution models
3. Comparing model outputs to understand true channel value
4. Recommending budget reallocation for better ROI

## Attribution Models

| Model | How It Works | Best For |
|-------|--------------|----------|
| First Touch | 100% credit to first touchpoint | Brand awareness analysis |
| Last Touch | 100% credit to last touchpoint | Direct response campaigns |
| Linear | Equal credit to all touchpoints | Multi-touch journeys |
| Time Decay | More credit to recent touchpoints | Long sales cycles |
| Position-Based (U-Shape) | 40% first, 40% last, 20% middle | Balanced view |
| Data-Driven (MTA) | ML-based credit allocation | Complex journeys |

## Model Selection Guide

| Scenario | Recommended Model |
|----------|-------------------|
| Short sales cycle (< 7 days) | Last Touch or Linear |
| Long sales cycle (> 30 days) | Time Decay or Data-Driven |
| Many touchpoints (> 5) | Data-Driven or Position-Based |
| Few touchpoints (≤ 3) | Linear or Position-Based |
| Heavy top-of-funnel investment | First Touch to validate |
| Heavy bottom-of-funnel | Last Touch to validate |

## Execution Flow

### Step 1: Collect Touchpoint Data

```
analytics.get_touchpoints({
  conversion_event: context.conversion_event,
  attribution_window: context.attribution_window,
  time_range: context.time_range,
  include: [
    "user_id",
    "touchpoint_timestamp",
    "channel",
    "campaign",
    "source",
    "medium",
    "cost"
  ]
})
```

### Step 2: Build User Journeys

```
warehouse.query({
  query: `
    WITH journeys AS (
      SELECT 
        user_id,
        ARRAY_AGG(
          STRUCT(channel, campaign, timestamp, cost)
          ORDER BY timestamp
        ) as touchpoints,
        conversion_timestamp,
        conversion_value
      FROM touchpoints t
      LEFT JOIN conversions c ON t.user_id = c.user_id
      WHERE t.timestamp <= c.conversion_timestamp
        AND t.timestamp >= DATEADD('day', -{{window}}, c.conversion_timestamp)
      GROUP BY user_id, conversion_timestamp, conversion_value
    )
    SELECT * FROM journeys
  `
})
```

### Step 3: Apply Attribution Models

```
For each model in context.models:
  attribution[model] = applyModel(journeys, model)

// First Touch
firstTouch = journeys.map(j => ({
  channel: j.touchpoints[0].channel,
  credit: j.conversion_value
}))

// Last Touch
lastTouch = journeys.map(j => ({
  channel: j.touchpoints[j.touchpoints.length - 1].channel,
  credit: j.conversion_value
}))

// Linear
linear = journeys.flatMap(j => 
  j.touchpoints.map(t => ({
    channel: t.channel,
    credit: j.conversion_value / j.touchpoints.length
  }))
)

// Time Decay
timeDecay = journeys.flatMap(j => {
  totalWeight = sum(touchpoints.map((t, i) => Math.pow(2, i)))
  return j.touchpoints.map((t, i) => ({
    channel: t.channel,
    credit: (Math.pow(2, i) / totalWeight) * j.conversion_value
  }))
})

// Position-Based
positionBased = journeys.flatMap(j => {
  n = j.touchpoints.length
  return j.touchpoints.map((t, i) => ({
    channel: t.channel,
    credit: j.conversion_value * (
      i === 0 ? 0.4 :
      i === n - 1 ? 0.4 :
      0.2 / (n - 2)
    )
  }))
})
```

### Step 4: Data-Driven Attribution (Optional)

```
ai.model({
  type: "shapley_value",
  input: {
    journeys: journeys,
    conversion_event: context.conversion_event
  },
  output: "channel_contributions"
})
```

### Step 5: Calculate Channel Metrics

```
For each channel:
  metrics[channel] = {
    conversions: countConversions(attribution, channel),
    revenue: sumRevenue(attribution, channel),
    spend: sumSpend(touchpoints, channel),
    cpa: spend / conversions,
    roas: revenue / spend,
    assisted_conversions: countAssisted(journeys, channel)
  }
```

### Step 6: Compare Models

```
comparison = {
  channels: channels.map(channel => ({
    channel,
    first_touch: attribution.firstTouch[channel],
    last_touch: attribution.lastTouch[channel],
    linear: attribution.linear[channel],
    time_decay: attribution.timeDecay[channel],
    position_based: attribution.positionBased[channel],
    data_driven: attribution.dataDriven[channel]
  })),
  variance: calculateVarianceAcrossModels()
}
```

### Step 7: Generate Recommendations

```
ai.analyze({
  input: {
    attribution_results: attribution,
    channel_metrics: metrics,
    spend_data: spend,
    model_comparison: comparison
  },
  output: "budget_optimization_recommendations",
  constraints: ["maintain_total_budget", "min_channel_spend"]
})
```

## Response Format

```markdown
## Attribution Analysis Report

**Conversion Event**: [Event name]
**Attribution Window**: [X] days
**Period**: [Date range]
**Conversions Analyzed**: [N]

---

### Executive Summary

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Total Conversions | [N] |
| Total Revenue | $[X] |
| Total Spend | $[X] |
| Blended ROAS | [X]x |
| Avg Touchpoints per Conversion | [X] |

**Key Finding**: [Most impactful insight]

---

### Model Comparison

#### Conversions by Channel & Model

| Channel | First Touch | Last Touch | Linear | Time Decay | Position | Data-Driven |
|---------|-------------|------------|--------|------------|----------|-------------|
| Paid Search | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] |
| Organic | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] |
| Social Paid | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] |
| Email | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] |
| Direct | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] | [N] |

#### Revenue Attribution by Model

| Channel | First Touch | Last Touch | Linear | Data-Driven |
|---------|-------------|------------|--------|-------------|
| Paid Search | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] |
| Organic | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] |
| Social Paid | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] |

### Model Variance Analysis

| Channel | Min Attribution | Max Attribution | Variance |
|---------|-----------------|-----------------|----------|
| [Channel] | [X]% (Last) | [Y]% (First) | High |
| [Channel] | [X]% (Linear) | [Y]% (Data) | Low |

**High Variance Channels**: These channels have very different values depending on model choice. Consider:
- [Channel 1]: Strong introducer (first touch high) but poor closer
- [Channel 2]: Strong closer (last touch high) but needs other channels to assist

---

### Channel Performance

#### By Data-Driven Attribution (Recommended)

| Channel | Conv. | Revenue | Spend | CPA | ROAS | Assisted |
|---------|-------|---------|-------|-----|------|----------|
| Paid Search | [N] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | [X]x | [N] |
| Organic | [N] | $[X] | $0 | - | ∞ | [N] |
| Social Paid | [N] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | [X]x | [N] |
| Email | [N] | $[X] | $[X] | $[X] | [X]x | [N] |
| Direct | [N] | $[X] | $0 | - | - | [N] |

### Journey Analysis

**Average Journey**:
```
[Paid Search] → [Organic] → [Direct] → [Conversion]
    Day 0          Day 3       Day 7
```

**Journey Length Distribution**:
| Touchpoints | Conversions | % | Avg Value |
|-------------|-------------|---|-----------|
| 1 | [N] | [X]% | $[X] |
| 2-3 | [N] | [X]% | $[X] |
| 4-6 | [N] | [X]% | $[X] |
| 7+ | [N] | [X]% | $[X] |

**Top Converting Paths**:
| Path | Conversions | Conversion Rate |
|------|-------------|-----------------|
| [Paid → Organic → Direct] | [N] | [X]% |
| [Social → Email → Direct] | [N] | [X]% |
| [Organic → Direct] | [N] | [X]% |

---

### 📈 Budget Optimization Recommendations

#### Current vs Recommended Allocation

| Channel | Current Spend | Current % | Recommended % | Change |
|---------|---------------|-----------|---------------|--------|
| Paid Search | $[X] | [X]% | [Y]% | [+/-]$[Z] |
| Social Paid | $[X] | [X]% | [Y]% | [+/-]$[Z] |
| Display | $[X] | [X]% | [Y]% | [+/-]$[Z] |
| Email | $[X] | [X]% | [Y]% | [+/-]$[Z] |

#### Recommendation 1: Increase [Channel] Investment

**Evidence**:
- Data-driven ROAS: [X]x (highest)
- Assists [N] additional conversions
- Underinvested relative to contribution

**Action**: Increase budget by [X]% ($[Y])
**Projected Impact**: +[N] conversions, +$[X] revenue

#### Recommendation 2: Reduce [Channel] Investment

**Evidence**:
- Data-driven ROAS: [X]x (below target)
- High CPA relative to other channels
- Last-touch inflates apparent value

**Action**: Reduce budget by [X]% ($[Y])
**Risk**: Monitor for [N] days for downstream impact

---

### Projected Impact

| Scenario | Conversions | Revenue | ROAS |
|----------|-------------|---------|------|
| Current | [N] | $[X] | [X]x |
| Optimized | [N] | $[X] | [X]x |
| **Improvement** | +[N] (+[X]%) | +$[X] (+[Y]%) | +[Z]x |

---

### Model Recommendation

**Recommended Primary Model**: [Data-Driven / Position-Based]

**Rationale**:
- Average [X] touchpoints per conversion (multi-touch)
- [X]% conversions have > 3 touchpoints
- High variance between first/last touch suggests middle matters

**Secondary Validation**: Use [First Touch] for brand campaigns, [Last Touch] for direct response

### Next Steps

1. Implement recommended budget changes
2. Set up weekly attribution reporting
3. Run [experiment] to validate model accuracy
```

## Guardrails

- Ensure sufficient conversion volume for statistical validity
- Account for cross-device and offline touchpoints when possible
- Don't change budgets too dramatically at once
- Consider seasonality in spend recommendations
- Handle missing touchpoint data gracefully
- Validate model outputs against known truths
- Consider incrementality testing to validate attribution
- Account for view-through vs click-through attribution
- Document model assumptions clearly
- Update models regularly as journey patterns change
- Be aware of ad platform attribution differences
- Consider time lag between spend and conversion