What is watch time?
How long your video was watched in total and on average per viewer.
Watch time shows whether your video keeps people on screen. On Reels, TikTok and Shorts, average watch time relative to video length is one of the most important signals for recommendations.
The first seconds are critical: that's when viewers decide to stay or scroll. A strong opening (hook) is what moves watch time the most.
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Updated: October 12, 2026 · All terms
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