Session time
Total time a viewer spends on the platform after starting with your video.
Session time measures the total minutes a viewer spent on YouTube or TikTok in the session started by your video, including time spent on other videos afterward. The platform credits the originating video for the full session.
Videos that end sessions (viewer closes the app) are penalized. Videos that lead into other videos (especially videos from your channel) are rewarded.
End screens, playlists, and Shorts shelves are the primary tools for extending session time inside your own channel.
Why it matters
Session time is one of the strongest 'platform health' signals YouTube optimizes for. Channels whose videos consistently extend session time get pushed harder than channels that end sessions.
How to improve it
- 01Build playlists with topic continuity. Auto-play through a playlist credits the entry video for the entire session.
- 02End screens that link to your own next video outperform end screens that link to a generic homepage.
- 03Avoid 'open ended' endings that send viewers searching elsewhere.
See your own session time in seconds.
Paste any YouTube, Shorts or TikTok link and our analyzer will surface the metric, the curve, and the move that lifts it next.