How do I track the average time spent on my Reddit posts?

Reddit does not expose a built-in metric for the average time users spend on individual posts. To estimate this, you must track your own time spent on post pages and compute the average from those measurements.

Overview of tracking time spent on Reddit posts

What you’re measuring

Dwell time: the period from when you open a post to when you stop interacting or move away.
Interaction-driven time: time spent actively engaging (scrolling, reading, clicking) versus idle time.

Why measurements vary

Mobile vs desktop behavior
Post type (text, image, video) and comments
Page layout changes or dynamic loading
Multitasking and interruptions

Methods to measure time spent on Reddit posts

Manual timing with a timer

Open a post and start a timer when the post loads.

Stop the timer when you leave the post or switch tabs.

Record the duration for each post.

Repeat across a representative sample of posts.

Browser-based time tracking

Use time-tracking extensions or apps designed for web activity.

Start a timer automatically when a Reddit post tab becomes active.

Pause when you switch away or inactive for a set period.

Activity analytics tools

Wellness or productivity apps can classify Reddit as a site and report time spent per session.

Some tools offer per-site dashboards, which can approximate time by domain, then you isolate Reddit post pages.

Experimental approach with sampling

Define a sample size (e.g., 30 posts across different subreddits and formats).

Track dwell time for each post in your chosen method.

Compute the average: sum of times divided by sample size.

Step-by-step implementation guide

1) Choose your tracking method

Manual timer for precise control.

Browser extension for automation and consistency.

Productivity app for broader activity context.

2) Define your measurement rules

Start time: page load or first visible content.
End time: you leave the post page, switch tabs, or close the tab.
Exclude idle time if you aren’t actively reading.
Include or exclude scrolling and interactivity based on your goal.

3) Collect data

Record duration per post in a simple notebook or spreadsheet.

Label each entry by post type (text, image, video) and subreddit.

4) Compute the average

Sum all durations in seconds.

Divide by the number of posts in your sample.

Convert to minutes if desired.

5) Analyze results

Compare dwell times across post types.

Check for outliers and decide whether to exclude them.

Note if longer times correlate with deeper engagement (e.g., long discussions).

Practical tips and best practices

Sampling and accuracy

Use a representative sample of posts (various subreddits, formats, and times of day).
Keep the same timing method throughout the study for consistency.
Treat very short sessions (under a threshold) as potential incidental views.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Pitfall: Inaccurate idle time counted as active time.
Solution: use automatic pauses when the tab is inactive or when the page isn’t visible.
Pitfall: Mobile app behavior not captured.
Solution: rely on desktop measurements or combine with mobile-specific tracking if needed.
Pitfall: Post-loaded content changes during reading (dynamic loading).
Solution: define start as first content render and end as last user interaction before leaving.
Pitfall: Small sample size leading to noisy results.
Solution: increase sample size or repeat the measurement across several days.

Interpretations and limitations

Time spent may reflect complexity, length, or interest, not quality.
Cross-device differences can skew averages if not handled consistently.
Privacy and data-use considerations when using tracking tools.

Quick-start checklist

[ ] Pick a tracking method (manual timer, browser extension, or analytics app).
[ ] Define start and end rules for a post view.
[ ] Create a simple data sheet to log post, duration, type, and timestamp.
[ ] Track a representative sample of posts.
[ ] Compute and review the average duration.
[ ] Note any anomalies and potential biases.

If you need broader insights, use post engagement metrics (comments, upvotes, share activity) as proxies for reader interest.
For large-scale analysis, consider automating data collection, but ensure you respect Reddit’s terms of service and privacy guidelines.
If accuracy is critical, document your methodology so results are reproducible.

Frequently Asked Questions