# Monthly active members (MAU)

https://www.datingapi.io/glossary/mau

**Monthly active members, often written MAU, is the number of people who open an app or website at least once in a calendar month.**

MAU is the standard measure of reach. Companies define "active" differently: some count any app open, others need a login or a swipe. Always check the definition before comparing apps.

For a dating app, MAU in a given town matters more than the global total. A member only benefits from people they could realistically meet, which is why liquidity is measured locally.

Pricing for many platforms, including per-member fees, is based on monthly active members, so dormant accounts usually cost nothing.