In the world of short-form video content like TikToks and Instagram Reels, tracking the right metrics is essential for consistent growth. Here are the key KPIs to focus on when analyzing your video performance:

1. Total Video Views

This is the baseline metric showing how many times your video was viewed. It indicates reach and visibility.

2. Percentage of Full Video Watched

This metric tracks the percentage of viewers who watch your entire video. A higher percentage means your content is holding attention.

3. Retention Rate

Retention rate measures how long, on average, people watch your video. It provides insight into viewer engagement. For instance, if your retention rate is 36%, people are watching a little over one-third of the video before leaving. Identifying when and why viewers drop off can help you fine-tune your content.

4. Average Watch Time

The average watch time indicates how long people spend on your video. This is crucial for understanding which parts of your video engage viewers and which cause them to scroll away. Knowing your average watch time helps you structure your content to maximize engagement.

5. Shares

Shares are a strong indicator of your content’s value. When viewers share your content, it signifies that they find it helpful, entertaining, or worth passing on to others. Shares also help expand your reach organically.

Bonus Metric: Saves

Saves show that your content provides long-term value. When people save your content, they see it as something they want to revisit later, usually because it's informative or entertaining.

Conclusion

Tracking these metrics will give you valuable insights into your TikTok and Reels performance. Remember that not every post will hit the mark, but analyzing these KPIs will help you continually improve. While total views provide visibility, metrics like retention rate, shares, and saves offer deeper insight into how engaging and valuable your content is to viewers.

P.S. You can check out our IG Reel here for more insight!