What is engagement metrics?
SEO Definition and Examples
Engagement metrics (dwell time, bounce rate, pages per session) measure how engaged users are on your page. High engagement = a positive ranking signal.
Full Definition: What is engagement metrics
Engagement metrics are signals from user behavior that Google can see through the Chrome browser: (1) Dwell time = total time on the page (how long someone stays before returning to the SERP); (2) Bounce rate = % of users who leave immediately without interacting; (3) Pages per session = average pages visited per visit; (4) Return visitor rate = % of users who come back. Google does not directly confirm that it uses engagement metrics for ranking, but implicitly they matter: pages with high engagement and a higher CTR rank better (logical: if users stay longer, it is relevant).
Why Does Engagement Metrics Matter for SEO?
Engagement is a proxy for user satisfaction. Weak content = a 60% bounce rate (they turn back immediately). Good content = 2-3 min dwell time, low bounce. Google rewards high engagement.
Source: Moz — Engagement MetricsFrequently Asked Questions about Engagement Metrics
Related Terms
RankBrain
IntermediateRankBrain is a Google AI algorithm that understands the meaning of search queries and pages, even with new words, ranking 3rd after links and content.
CTR (Click-Through Rate)
IntermediateCTR is the percentage of clicks on your SERP link out of the total impressions. Higher CTRs = more traffic from the same position.
Bounce Rate
BeginnerBounce rate is the percentage of visitors who land on a page and leave without interacting with other pages, indicating the page's relevance and quality.
LLM SEO
AdvancedLLM SEO (or GEO) is optimizing content to be cited or recommended by AI models like ChatGPT, Perplexity or Google AI Overviews.
Put Engagement Metrics into practice
Explore how to apply this concept to your industry and city.
