When it comes to YouTube video performance, one of the key metrics creators look at is the average percentage viewed. This metric shows what portion of your video viewers actually watched the full video. Having a high average percentage viewed is a sign that your content is resonating with viewers and keeping them engaged. But what constitutes a “good” average percentage viewed? Let’s take a closer look.
What Does Average Percentage Viewed Mean?
The average percentage viewed metric shows the average amount of your video that was viewed by users. It is calculated by YouTube looking at how much of your video each viewer watched and then taking the average across all views.
For example, if you have a video that is 5 minutes long and:
- Viewer 1 watched 3 minutes
- Viewer 2 watched the full 5 minutes
- Viewer 3 watched 1 minute
Your average percentage viewed would be calculated as follows:
Viewer 1 watched 3/5 = 60% of the video
Viewer 2 watched 5/5 = 100% of the video
Viewer 3 watched 1/5 = 20% of the video
(60% + 100% + 20%) / 3 viewers = 60% average percentage viewed
So in this example, your average percentage viewed would be 60%.
What is Considered a Good Average Percentage Viewed?
So what is a good benchmark to aim for with average percentage viewed? Here are some general guidelines:
- 0-25% – Poor. Most viewers are clicking away very early in your video.
- 25-50% – Below average. You’re losing viewer interest halfway through.
- 50-75% – Average. Viewers are engaged through most of the video.
- 75-100% – Good. Most viewers are watching to the very end.
Based on this, a good target average percentage viewed is between 50-100%. But a more realistic goal for most creators is likely 60-75%. Very few channels, especially as they are starting out, will realistically see averages in the 90-100% range.
Factors That Impact Average Percentage Viewed
There are a number of factors that can influence your average percentage viewed metric:
- Video length – Longer videos will naturally have a lower average percentage viewed. A 10 minute video averaging 50% is decent, while a 2 minute video averaging 50% needs improvement.
- Niche – Some niches like music and entertainment tend to see higher averages than educational niches.
- Time of video – The most engaging part of your video should be in the first 1-2 minutes to hook viewers.
- Quality – High quality, well-edited videos will retain viewers better than amateurish videos.
- Pacing – Videos that lag or have too much filler content will cause viewers to drop off.
Optimizing these factors where possible can help boost your average percentage viewed.
How to Improve Your Average Percentage Viewed
Here are some tips to improve average percentage viewed:
Grab attention quickly
Your opening hook is crucial. Use your first 10-20 seconds to present your most intriguing information, exciting visuals, or entertaining content. This builds initial interest to keep viewers watching.
Pace your video appropriately
Find a good tempo for your content. Move through information steadily without dragging things out or rushing too fast. This retains viewer attention.
Keep videos concise
Remove any unnecessary filler. Keep your videos tightly focused around your core message. Shorter videos often have higher average views.
Structure your content
Use sections and chapters to let viewers skip around to the parts most relevant to them. Having clear structure keeps them engaged.
Include graphics and b-roll
Insert relevant graphics, images, and b-roll footage to reinforce your points. This adds visual interest to keep people watching.
Improve production quality
Invest in quality equipment like cameras, microphones, and editing software. Polished production attracts more viewers who will watch longer.
Analyze audience retention
Check where your drop-off points are using YouTube Analytics. This shows where you need to improve pacing or add more compelling content.
Promote your best content
If you have a stand-out high-performing video, promote it more heavily across your social channels. This raises overall averages.
Benchmarks for Top YouTube Channels
Wondering what kind of average percentage viewed top YouTube channels see? Here are some benchmarks from popular categories:
Gaming
- PewDiePie – Average 70-80%
- Markiplier – Average 50-60%
- Jacksepticeye – Average 55-65%
Beauty/Fashion
- Zoella – Average 65-75%
- Bethany Mota – Average 60-70%
- Michelle Phan – Average 55-65%
Tech
- Marques Brownlee – Average 60-70%
- Linus Tech Tips – Average 55-65%
- Unbox Therapy – Average 50-60%
As you can see, even the top channels fall mainly in the 60-80% range for average percentage viewed. While benchmarks can be useful guidelines, always focus on optimizing your own content rather than get discouraged comparing yourself to channels in a different league.
Using Average Percentage Viewed to Improve
Average percentage viewed is certainly one metric to be aware of. But don’t become obsessed with chasing the highest number possible. There are always external factors you can’t control.
The most important thing is to use average percentage viewed wisely to identify weaknesses in your content and find areas for improvement. Focus on creating high-quality, compelling videos, and your averages should gradually increase over time.
At the end of the day, viewer engagement and enjoyment are what matter most. If people are watching your videos actively rather than just letting them play in the background, then you’re on the right track even if your averages aren’t yet at elite levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you find your average percentage viewed on YouTube?
You can find average percentage viewed data in YouTube Analytics under the “Engagement Reports” section. This shows percentages for your last few videos as well as your overall channel average.
Is average percentage viewed important for monetization?
Yes, average percentage viewed affects both your viewer watch time and session duration metrics, which are requirements for YouTube monetization. The higher your percentage viewed, the more likely you’ll meet the thresholds.
What is a good average view duration?
A good average view duration depends on your video length, but you want viewers to watch at least 50% on average. For a 10 minute video, aim for an average duration of 5+ minutes watched. For a 5 minute video, aim for 2:30+ minutes watched.
Can you increase average percentage viewed once a video is posted?
It’s difficult to increase the percentage on an already posted video. But you can improve it indirectly by promoting your best-performing content more, which raises your overall channel average. New videos should focus on grabbing attention faster.
What is the average for a successful YouTube channel?
There’s no one benchmark for a “successful” YouTube channel. But as a general rule, channels with 50%+ average percentage viewed and strong subscriber growth are in a good place. Focus less on averages and more on improving your own content.
Conclusion
Average percentage viewed is a useful metric to track how engaging your YouTube videos are. While there are no hard targets, typically 50-75% is a decent range to aim for depending on video length. Analyze your viewer retention reports to identify weaknesses and continuously refine your content. Improving average viewed percentage takes time, but by focusing on optimizing pacing, structure, production quality, and opening hooks you can increase viewer retention over the long-term.
