Metrics Term
What is Audience Retention?
How much of your video viewers watch before leaving.
Quick definitionUpdated dailyPart of the ThumbnailCreator glossary
Quick definition
How much of your video viewers watch before leaving.
Definition
Audience retention measures what percentage of your video viewers watch on average. It's displayed as a graph showing where viewers drop off. High retention signals to YouTube that your content is engaging. Thumbnails impact retention indirectly: accurate thumbnails set proper expectations, while misleading ones cause early drop-offs that hurt your video's performance.
Examples
- 150% retention means viewers watch half your video on average
- 2Retention dips often occur at intros or slow sections
- 3Returning viewers typically have higher retention
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