YouTube Retention Analysis Template

Understand what keeps viewers watching and optimize for better engagement

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What's included

A comprehensive framework for analyzing YouTube video retention and optimizing content for better viewer engagement.

Key retention metrics

The essential metrics that reveal how well your content holds viewer attention.

Average View Duration

How long viewers watch on average

Benchmark: 40-60% of video length

Audience Retention Rate

Percentage of video watched by average viewer

Benchmark: 50%+ for good retention

15-Second Hook Rate

Percentage of viewers who stay past 15 seconds

Benchmark: 80%+ for strong hooks

End Screen Retention

Viewers who watch to the end screen

Benchmark: 20-30% for engaging content

Analysis process

Follow this systematic approach to analyze retention and identify optimization opportunities.

1

Hook Performance (0-15s)

Analyze opening effectiveness

Opening line impact
Visual alignment
Value promise
Attention grab
2

Content Flow (15s-80%)

Review main content pacing

Information density
Transition quality
Energy maintenance
Expectation delivery
3

Retention Patterns

Identify drop-off points

Major dips
Gradual decline
Sudden exits
Recovery points
4

Optimization Opportunities

Plan improvements for next videos

Hook refinements
Pacing adjustments
Content restructuring
Testing priorities

Why retention analysis matters

Algorithm boost

YouTube rewards videos that keep viewers watching with better reach and recommendations.

Watch time growth

Better retention leads to longer watch sessions, increasing your total channel watch time.

Audience insights

Understand what resonates with your audience to create more engaging content consistently.

Video formats to analyze

This template works for all YouTube content formats with specific considerations for each type.

Long-form Content

Educational, tutorial, and deep-dive videos

YouTube Shorts

Short-form vertical content under 60 seconds

How-to Videos

Step-by-step instructional content

Entertainment

Engaging, personality-driven content

Want this analysis automated?

This template is perfect for manual analysis. RevScope automatically analyzes YouTube videos and provides specific retention optimization recommendations.