When you’re browsing on YouTube, you might stumble upon a video that catches your attention. But when you click on it within a few seconds, you’re bored, and you go back and try to find another? This affects the audience retention rate for YouTubers. People nowadays like watching videos that are fast-paced and entertaining from the start.
That’s when the phenomenon of retention rate comes into the picture. Being a YouTuber, you want most of your viewers to stick to your videos till the end. If they’re clicking in and clicking off, then your audience retention percentage drops immensely. So if you’re retention percentage is less, keep reading the blog till the end to know the ways to increase it.
What Is Audience Retention On YouTube?
YouTube audience retention is a percentage that represents the amount of time viewers spend consuming your video. This retention rate percentage is used to rank your channel or videos for SEO on YouTube. Remember, this percentage is calculated on average. So, if you’ve posted a 14-minute video, and your retention rate is 66%, then on average, 66% of the video has been watched by viewers.
In YouTube Studio, you can find a detailed analysis of your audience retention graph so you can basically spot where you’re going wrong.
How To See Your YouTube Audience Retention Rate?
Here’s how you can check your video’s retention percentage on YT:
- Go to YouTube Studio.
- From the left navigation menu, click on Content.
- To analyze a video choose the video from the list, or you can even search for it.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you can see the video’s average view duration and average percentage viewed.
The retention rate percentage is classified and analyzed through four different segments:
- Percentage of viewers that are still watching the video after the intro’s ending.
- Top moment or Continuous segments where viewers are watching the video without skipping the video or leaving.
- When the viewer rewatches a particular part of the video or shares it, it is counted as Spikes.
- And finally, Dips, where viewers have skipped a section of the video or left the video completely.
YouTube points out these moments so YouTubers understand where viewers are losing interest and what part they’re enjoying the most. These were the basis on which we understand how a particular video is doing.
But how is this calculated? Let’s see
How Is YouTube Audience Retention Calculated?
The retention rate varies widely as it is based on the length of your video and what kind of topic it covers. YouTube calculates the retention rate by dividing it into two metrics: Absolute audience retention and Relative audience retention.
You can find both of them mentioned in the graph, however, each has its own purpose. Absolute retention rate shows how well that video retains viewers, while relative one talks about how well the video is retaining viewers when compared to other videos of the same length.
What is a Good Audience Retention rate on YouTube?
According to YouTube statistics, the average YouTube viewer retention rate stands at 50%-60%. This means that viewers watch up to 60% of your video content. However, its answer also depends on your category of content and chosen niche. A higher viewer retention rate means viewers like your content and want to view it more. However, irrespective of your niche, your videos will perform better if the audience retention rate is at least 15%. Ensure that your content is intriguing and engaging so that viewers will stick to your videos longer.
Why Does Audience Retention rate matter? Audience Retention- Vital SEO Ranking Factor
YouTube tracks the audience retention metrics of your videos and utilizes the data to push your content to a larger audience base. It is a significant factor in determining whether your videos will appear in the top results when viewers search for them.
When viewers watch your videos till the end, or at least a significant portion of them, it indicates to the algorithm that your content is valuable and should be pushed ahead in the feed section of the relevant target audience.
How To Increase Retention Rate?
On average, the audience retention rate for most YouTube videos lies anywhere between 50-60%. But if you’re falling short of the average or want to aim even higher, here are some ways you can infuse to increase your retention percentage:
Hook your audience with an entertaining intro
Starting with a bang is what you need to do! Start your video with an entertaining intro that keeps viewers engaged. Remember, the first 30 seconds are highly crucial. That’s the time frame when most viewers click away. So keep your intros unique and intriguing to retain viewers.
Add a Sneak Peek of the Video at the Start
Giving viewers a small sneak peek of what they’re going to see ahead in the video will keep them engaged for watching more. Tease viewers with the content or part you think they’ll be most excited to see, just like a cliffhanger.
Keep the Video’s Length as needed
Don’t exaggerate your video! If you drag your content meaninglessly, it will only make a viewer click away from your video.
Skip on Clickbaity Thumbnails
Viewers hope to see content that is relevant to what they saw in the thumbnail. If the expectations are not met sooner, it’s a no-brainer that they will stop viewing the video further. Misleading can make the YouTube audience retention rate drop faster.
Use Variations in your Video
You must keep your audience entertained throughout the video using edits, graphics, and music changes. Film your videos more engagingly and have shots that wow the viewers.
Analyze your audience retention Graph
Most importantly, study your retention YouTube graph of your latest videos to understand where your content is lagging. Study where the most viewers are clicking off your video. Understanding these patterns will help you bring changes to your videos and help improve your overall audience retention on videos.
Conclusion
YouTube audience retention is important for your videos to rank higher on search pages. Retaining viewers to watch your videos means that your engagement is increasing and more people are sticking to your content. Making compelling videos and staying unique is the ultimate way to go about this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I fix YouTube Audience Retention?
Here are a few strategies you can use to increase audience retention of your YouTube videos.
- Start with a curious hook
- Use pattern interrupts at regular intervals
- Make the content to resonate more with your audience’s emotions.
- Deliver massive value in every video
- Include video chapters for easy access for your viewers
- Give them a reason to stay till the end
Q2. How do I increase my YouTube audience?
Focus on creating engaging content aligning with your audience’s interest, optimize your video for SEO, interact with your fans often, nurture a community, reflect your real personality, and stay patient.
Q3. How to keep viewers hooked to my YouTube videos?
The best way to keep your viewers hooked to your videos is by weaving your content into an interesting story. Place interesting hooks at specific intervals in your video, offer practical, valuable information, and give them something to walk away with.
Q4. Is 45% retention good on YouTube?
An audience retention rate of 45% indicates a wide scope for improvement in the video content or its presentation style. Also, consider the niche, audience availability, and length of your video before you evaluate your audience retention rate.