Posting & numbers

Retention graph

Also called Audience retention

A line showing what share of viewers were still watching at each moment of the video.

Why it matters

It shows exactly where people leave, which is where your next fix is.

Example

A sharp drop at second 2, then a flat line: the hook lost people, the rest held.

Common mistake

Only looking at the overall average instead of the shape of the line.

How to use it

Every graph starts dropping, so look for the shape. A steep fall in the first few seconds means the opening didn’t make a clear enough promise. Gradual sliding means pacing. A sudden cliff points to one moment: a slow explanation, a cut that confused people or an early payoff. A bump means people rewatched something, which is worth doing again.

Common questions

What does “Retention graph” mean?

A line showing what share of viewers were still watching at each moment of the video.

Why does it matter?

It shows exactly where people leave, which is where your next fix is.

What’s the most common mistake?

Only looking at the overall average instead of the shape of the line.

Worth Watching book cover by Ray S
Go deeper

Chapter 59, “Reading Your Numbers” and Chapter 61, “Diagnose, Revise, Learn” of Worth Watching cover this in depth, with what to do on your next video.

Read the free sample →