Average session time / page views

[mmbute]

Hi all,

Im new to this and was wondering what average time do you have on your site and average page views?

I guess you wount share maybe I dont know but maybe you can give me a hint on where I need to be to consider it as good numbers.

I run a standard casino / slot affiliate site.

Of course i differs depending on typ of content on the site but I think you understand what Im looking for here.

Average time per user on site and average side views per user on site.

[chaumi]

It's a very specific question, which with full disclosure (so that you can eliminate any potential waste of time reading if you desire) I personally can't answer (don't have the figures). Maybe you'll get some hard figures here, although even if you do I'd question whether they will be of any real use.

So, some thoughts that might help......and partially explain why I'd say that...

First off, I'm not aware of any proper/adequate/dedicated tests that have proven that time on site/page/multiple page views are actually a ranking factor, or perhaps more importantly a de-ranking factor (as in position demotion because the algorithm thinks a page is not answering the query).

Not to say there aren't/haven't been any, just not aware. And personal experience (admittedly limited in volume, but spread over many years), suggests (and I will say proves in my case, with the proviso that it's limited and maybe there's something at play that I'm not seeing/don't know), that a page or pages can hold high rank for an extensive period, while also giving off signals that it/they have a high bounce rate and low time on page on average across the bulk of visitors.

Of course, you'd have to say highish time on page/site/ multiple page views would be a good thing (ruling out the probably small possibility that multiple page views are actually the user frantically trying to get their query answered, can't, maybe get diverted for a bit, and eventually give up)

In most cases it would be an indicator of a 'strong' site...and even if that page interaction indicator wasn't affecting ranking directly as such, it will mean more eyeballs, more chances of links, mentions elsewhere etc. All good elements, and likely to contribute to the success of the site in different ways.

But you'd have to be thinking 'is this what Google wants?' Arguably they don't. They have to answer the query as accurately and as fast as possible (because that's their job and is what's expected...and in anything, if you don't consistently deliver what's expected, you're at risk of being out - although I'm not sure that really applies in this particular case), but also in a way that makes (them) money.

Now you could say that someone bouncing around a site with Adsense on it fits here, but probably the best way is to get that visitor the answer to their query and then back to Google for another search. Ultimate/high-level aim...be on Google, not on the websites on Google.

Why say all this?

I think what it's all telling you is to focus on answering the query, as quickly and as intelligently as possible. If that query gets answered in 10 seconds, that's fine. It answered the intent. Everyone got what was expected. If some visitors stay on page/read more, then that's a double indicator (and actually, my guess, that if anything is at play here it's a combination/spread - maybe taken as an average, don't know.)

How would anyone (or anything) know that just because a visitor was only on a page for 10 seconds, they didn't get their answer to the query.

Likely from historic data, right? Maybe.

I search 'online casino bonuses'. Do I want to know everything about online casino bonuses? A 10 minute read on page. Do I really just want a bonus to go for? 2 seconds for the page to load, 5 seconds to scan to just above the fold or just below, 2 seconds to register someone is giving me their list of best casino bonuses 2021, 20 seconds to scan it, maybe read a few lines, or even just click on one of those CTAs in the list. Gone. But the page did answer my query.

Conclusion. Of course it depends on the content of the page, and the intent of the visitor. But also on what options that user has - or is being offered - to go elsewhere, and also how quickly their query was being answered elsewhere and on your own site/page. I wouldn't be worrying about working out/trying to second guess the 'right' figures, but observing where those overall figures were leaning, and - dependent on the content - focusing on (alongside answering the query) improving/hardening the reasons for them to stay on page/site longer, or at a minimum positioning it that at least some are showing 'lengthy' engagement.

Apologies I couldn't actually answer the question, but hopefully some valid points that will help with the perceived intent behind it (and hopefully made well enough that it makes sense, this hasn't proved to be an easy one to write about and maybe there are some holes in the argument or it's not been put as cohesively as it should)

[gil.langelaan]

Hi!
Chaumi, you know I still think that bounce rate impact ranking.
So if your site in top-3 and a user seeing the metadata clicks on you website but understood that there is no answer on his query here and he will close your page and get back to the seach. For Google it means that your page is not relevant and it could hurt your rankings.

About the main question "Average session time / page views", I can say a few minutes is a good result.

[chaumi]

Hi!
you know I still think that bounce rate impact ranking.
So if your site in top-3 and a user seeing the metadata clicks on you website but understood that there is no answer on his query here and he will close your page and get back to the search. For Google it means that your page is not relevant and it could hurt your rankings.

I know Gil, the logic says it should have an impact. And maybe it does on a page that gets visitors but every one clicks away in 0.1 secs. I was just saying...I've never seen it proved....have limited evidence it's not true/fully accurate...there are instances where time on site/page is entirely reasonable if short-lived....and there are a number of reasons why it shouldn't be something to potentially worry about.....

Provided you are doing your best to answer the query, providing as much supporting info as is sensible or applicable, and structuring in a way to try and encourage deeper investigation.

[Mehdi Mckinney]

Hi all, I'd say the level of engagement and immersion is different on different types of pages. It depends primarily on what type of page it is: is it a page where a brief overview of different brands and companies, or is it a brand-specific review page, or is it a brand application review page, or is it a support page or some kind of guide.

As far as depth of review, it's an average of 2.5 pages per session.