# Segmentation insights

Plot an event metric over time and compare it by property or user attribute. For example, count purchases by region or compare feature usage across subscription plans.

## Create a segmentation insight

1. Open **Insights** and create an insight.
2. Choose **Segmentation** as the insight type.
3. Select an event and aggregation, such as event count, unique users, sum, or average.
4. Add filters and an optional breakdown by an event property or user trait.
5. Set the time range and interval. Open **Results** to inspect the rows and **SQL** to review the generated query.
6. Save the insight when the metric and breakdown match your question.

![Segmentation insight line chart comparing a metric over time](/screenshots/charts-segmentationchart-linechart--single-series.png)

*Segmentation insight line chart comparing a metric over time*

## Choose a breakdown

- Use an **event property**, such as `page_url` or `endpoint`, to compare the context of each action.
- Use a **user trait**, such as plan or region, to compare groups of identified users. [Identify users](/docs/product-analytics/identify.md) to attach these traits.

Check missing property values and the selected aggregation before comparing groups. Use [SQL](/docs/product-analytics/query.md) and the [data model](/docs/product-analytics/data-model.md) when you need to inspect the source records.

For conversion through ordered steps, use [Funnel](/docs/product-analytics/funnel.md). For the percentage of a cohort that returns after a starting event, use [Retention](/docs/product-analytics/retention.md).