[FAQ]

I’ve started diving deeper into my YouTube Analytics, specifically looking at the Audience Retention reports for my videos. I’m trying to figure out how to properly interpret this data.

First, what is considered a “good” average percentage for audience retention in 2025? Does that number change depending on whether the video is long or short?

And second, I’m trying to understand the graph itself. What does it mean when I see a sudden “dip” where the line drops, or a “spike” where it goes up or flattens out at certain points in the video?

[Jeff Bullas]

Audience retention is one of the most critical metrics in YouTube Analytics. It tells you how much of your video people are actually watching, which is a very strong signal to the YouTube recommendation algorithm about your content’s quality and engagement level.

First, let us address what is considered a “good” audience retention rate. This is highly variable and depends on the length of your video, but a common goal for many creators is to aim for an average percentage viewed of around 50% or higher. For shorter videos under five minutes, you might aim for 60% or more, while for much longer videos over 20 minutes, a rate of 30% to 40% could be considered quite strong.

However, more important than any absolute number is how your video’s retention compares to other similar videos on YouTube. In your analytics, YouTube often provides a line on the graph indicating the “typical” retention for videos of a similar length. If your retention graph is consistently above this “typical” line, that is a very positive sign.

Second, you asked about interpreting the graph itself. A “dip” in your retention graph indicates a point where a larger-than-usual number of viewers either abandoned your video or skipped forward. You should carefully review what is happening in your video at that exact moment. A dip is often caused by a slow or boring segment, a confusing point, a long and drawn-out introduction, or a promotion that viewers were not interested in. Identifying these drop-off points is key to understanding what to avoid or shorten in your future videos.

Third, a “spike” or a flat section in the graph is an excellent sign. This indicates that viewers are rewatching that specific part of your video, or that new viewers are starting to watch from that point because it was shared or linked directly. A spike tells you that a particular moment was especially interesting, funny, valuable, or shocking. You should analyse these moments carefully to understand what truly resonates with your audience, as this can give you ideas for future content.

The audience retention graph is essentially your most direct form of feedback from your viewers. Use the dips to learn what to cut, and use the spikes to learn what your audience loves and wants to see more of. By analysing this data, you can make informed decisions to create more engaging content that holds your viewers’ attention for longer.

Cheers,

Jeff

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