This is a hugely debated topic in the nerdy web world. There are hordes of articles that discuss the connection, or lack thereof, between dwell time and SEO. Here is why I believe dwell time and SEO are having relations. But first let’s go over the characteristics of these two power players.

There are three main factors that make up dwell time according to this article by Search Engine Journal.

Session Duration

Session Duration is the length of time that a user is on your site. This could be on a single page or as they dig deeper into the depth of your website. This measures how long you’ve got a users attention.

Bounce Rate

This is the percentage of users who click off of your site after only view one page. You did not capture their attention or retain them as a client.

CTR of the SERP

Click Through Rate (CTR) of the Search Engine Result Page (SERP). This means the CTR of your organic searches. When a user searches for business in your field, this is the likelihood that they will click to your site. This is significant to the dwell time measurement because the moment a user clicks on your site is when the dwell time starts counting. CTR is hugely significant to your small business SEO.

It’s a no-brainer that you want users to linger on your site. Of course, you want users digging through your neatly laid out web content. DUH. But, does dwell time affect your SEO? Google has remained buttoned-up on this topic until this April when after years of speculation Google confirmed that yes, dwell time and SEO are in a relationship.

Google cares about two things: giving their customers what they are searching for and making oodles of money. They have clearly succeeded at the later and they are killing it at being the most successful search engine.

Google measures how long users click off of the SERP and how long it takes the users to return. They measure "long clicks" (a lengthier visit from a user) vs. "short clicks" (which is your bounce rate). The longer a user dawdles on your site, Google interprets that your content is better. If users spend "short clicks" on your site, Google doesn't want to waste their other user's time, thus bumping you lower on the SERP. 

Dwell time and SEO are in an affair to remember! Here are some hints on improving your user's dwell time so that they stay the happy couple. 

1. A Usable site 

On average 40%-70% users are accessing sites from mobile devices. Your site needs to be mobile compaible or it's hurting your SEO. 

2. Interesting Content

To keep users on your site you need to have content that will keep them scrolling through. Writing blogs, having videos or any variety of content on your site will spark the interest of a user. 

3. Internal Links

By using internal connects users to other pages on your site. The more they navigate through your site, the longer dwell time they are racking up for your SEO. Users also don't want to have to navigate backwards to find the page they want, internal links will save them frustration.   

4. A Clean Site Layout

 If your site is cluttered or difficult to navigate users will bounce out to a more convient site. Having a clean layout, a good design, and easy to read content will raise your dwell time. 

5. Page Load Time

People aren't patient. Don't pretend that they are. 

5J design in Sioux Falls is here for all your design needs! We will help you make your site the compatible site for dwell time and SEO to stay connected with inbound marketing.