You can track audience retention for Reddit videos using Reddit’s built-in analytics for your own posts. Access the video insights in Creator Tools, review the retention curve and watch time, then compare performance across videos to identify what keeps viewers engaged.
How to track Reddit video audience retention
Access your video analytics
- Open your Reddit account and go to the Creator Tools or Creator Dashboard.
- Navigate to Analytics or Video Insights.
- Open a specific video to view its metrics.
Read the key metrics
- Audience retention: the share of the video watched over time. Look for peak moments and drop-off points.
- Average watch time: the typical duration viewers spend watching.
- Total minutes watched and views: scale of engagement.
- Completion rate (if available): percentage of viewers who watched to the end.
Compare videos and identify patterns
- Open several of your top-performing and lower-performing videos side by side.
- Note where retention drops—early, mid, or late in the video.
- Correlate drop points with your intro length, hooks, pacing, or content type.
Export and analyze data
- Look for an export or download option to get a CSV or similar file.
- Use a simple spreadsheet to plot retention over time and compare across videos.
- Annotate differences in titles, thumbnails, and openings to spot patterns.
Practical actions to improve retention
- Craft a strong hook in the first 5–10 seconds to reduce early drop-off.
- Keep pace steady; cut filler and repetitive segments.
- Use chapter-like segments or clear visual cues to reset attention.
- A/B test intros, thumbnails, and captions to see what improves retention.
- Align content with audience expectations set by title and thumbnail.
Where to find retention data on Reddit videos
For your own posts
- Access the post in Creator Tools.
- Open the video insights section to view retention curves and related metrics.
For overall channel performance
- Check the Analytics or Videos overview in Creator Tools for trends across videos.
Interpretation tips and common pitfalls
Tips
- Retention drops at a specific timestamp often point to a weak hook or irrelevant mid-content.
- High watch time but low completion may indicate long videos with engaging mid sections but poor ending pacing.
- Use retention data to guide future video length and structure decisions.
Pitfalls
- Relying on views alone; views don’t show engagement quality.
- Comparing to others without considering niche and audience size.
- Ignoring the impact of external factors like posting time or cross-promotion.
Quick reference checklist
- [ ] Open Creator Tools > Analytics for video insights
- [ ] Review audience retention curve for each video
- [ ] Note early drop-offs and their timestamps
- [ ] Compare average watch time and completion rate across videos
- [ ] Export data if possible and chart retention trends
- [ ] Implement hooks, pacing, and thumbnail changes based on insights
- [ ] Run A/B tests on intros and thumbnails
- [ ] Reassess after publishing new videos
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I track retention for all Reddit videos or only my own?
Retention data is available for videos you own or manage in Creator Tools; it may not be accessible for all Reddit videos.
Where is the retention data located on Reddit?
Retention data appears in the video insights section of Creator Tools or the Creator Dashboard for each video.
What metrics should I focus on besides retention?
Focus on average watch time, completion rate, total minutes watched, and views to gauge overall engagement.
How can I improve early retention on Reddit videos?
Improve the first 5–10 seconds with a strong hook, clear value, and immediate relevance to the title and thumbnail.
Can I export retention data for analysis outside Reddit?
Yes, look for an export option to download a CSV and analyze retention trends in a spreadsheet.
Is retention data influenced by post timing or cross-posting?
Yes, posting timing and cross-promotion can affect retention; consider testing different times and placements.
Should I compare retention across videos of different topics?
Compare within similar topics or formats to account for audience expectations and preferences.
What’s the best way to use retention insights for future videos?
Use retention patterns to adjust hooks, pacing, and content structure; run A/B tests to validate changes.