> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Subscription Initial Purchase Orders: First-Time Subscription Count

> Track first-time subscription orders in Shopify. Measure subscription acquisition, analyze program growth, and optimize your recurring revenue strategy.

<Tip>
  The count of orders where a customer starts a new subscription for the first time.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Subscription Initial Purchase Orders** = **COUNT** ( Orders ) **WHERE** [order\_type = subscription\_initial\_purchase](/data-dictionary/measures-and-dimensions)
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                                                                                        | Definition                                                         |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Orders**                                                                                    | Each completed checkout transaction                                |
| [**order\_type = subscription\_initial\_purchase**](/data-dictionary/measures-and-dimensions) | Filters to orders where a customer starts their first subscription |

| Metadata        |                             |
| --------------- | --------------------------- |
| **Type**        | Number                      |
| **Data Source** | [Shopify](/sources/shopify) |
| **Aggregation** | Count                       |

***

## Example

Your store acquired **324 new subscribers** in Q1:

| Month    | New Subscriptions | Growth   |
| -------- | ----------------- | -------- |
| January  | 98                | Baseline |
| February | 107               | +9.2%    |
| March    | 119               | +11.2%   |

***

## How It Works

This metric counts orders where a customer subscribes for the first time. It excludes recurring subscription renewals and one-time purchases. Use it to measure subscription program acquisition separate from retention.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                  | Action                                                 |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Program growth tracking   | Monitor new subscriber acquisition over time           |
| Campaign attribution      | Identify which campaigns drive subscription signups    |
| Subscription mix analysis | Compare initial subscriptions to total orders          |
| LTV forecasting           | Estimate future recurring revenue from new subscribers |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                                                    | Relationship                                              |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Orders](/reference/metrics/orders/counts/orders)                                                         | Total orders (includes all order types)                   |
| [Subscription Initial Purchase %](/reference/metrics/orders/counts/subscription-initial-purchase-percent) | Initial subscriptions as percentage of total orders       |
| [New Customers](/reference/metrics/orders/customers/new-customers)                                        | First-time buyers (different from first-time subscribers) |
| [Total Revenue](/reference/metrics/orders/revenue/total-revenue)                                          | Revenue from all orders including subscriptions           |

[See all Order Counts metrics →](/reference/metrics/orders/counts)