Dwell time is the duration a user spends on your webpage after clicking from search engine results before returning to the search results page (SERP) (Neil Patel). It’s distinct from:
- Time on Page: How long someone stays before navigating anywhere—not necessarily back to SERPs (Neil Patel).
- Bounce Rate: The percentage of visitors who leave a page without interacting further; not specific to returning to SERPs (Neil Patel).
Why Dwell Time Matters for SEO
- Longer dwell time often signals that your content aligns with user intent and is engaging—positively influencing user behavior signals that search engines may consider.
- While Google hasn’t officially confirmed dwell time as a ranking factor, leaked documents referencing “long clicks” (i.e., users staying on your page longer) suggest indirect tracking of such behaviors.
5 Ways to Boost Dwell Time (and Help Your SEO)
Here are five practical strategies to keep users engaged and increase dwell time:
1. Hook Readers in Immediately
Grab attention with compelling introductions. Neil Patel recommends including an early “key takeaways” section to show readers what they’ll learn—encouraging them to stick around.
2. Make Content Scannable
Break up text with headings, bullet points, visuals, and short paragraphs. Easy-to-read formatting keeps users engaged longer.
3. Use Rich Media
Incorporate images, videos, or infographics to make content more engaging and visually appealing, increasing the time users spend on your page.
4. Match Search Intent
Ensure your page directly addresses what users are looking for—whether informational, transactional, or navigational intent. If your content satisfies quickly and completely, dwell time—and satisfaction—increase.
5. Improve Internal Linking
Use internal links to guide readers to related content. This encourages deeper exploration within your site and boosts overall engagement.
