SEO Glossary

Dwell Time

Duration users spend on a web page after clicking from search results, indicating content quality and user satisfaction.

Updated July 9, 2025
SEO

Definition

Dwell Time is the amount of time a user spends on a web page after clicking through from a search engine result before returning to the search results page. Unlike bounce rate, which only measures whether users visit additional pages, dwell time specifically measures engagement duration and is considered a more nuanced indicator of content quality and user satisfaction.

Longer dwell times typically suggest that users find content valuable, engaging, and relevant to their search query, while very short dwell times may indicate that content doesn't meet user expectations or needs. Dwell time is particularly important because it represents active user engagement rather than just passive visiting.

For AI-powered search and GEO optimization, dwell time is a crucial user engagement signal that both search engines and AI systems may consider when evaluating content authority and relevance. Content with longer dwell times demonstrates genuine user interest and satisfaction, making it more likely to be viewed as authoritative and trustworthy by AI models when selecting sources to cite.

Improving dwell time involves creating comprehensive, valuable content that thoroughly addresses user queries, using engaging formatting with headers, bullet points, and visual elements, ensuring fast loading times to prevent premature exits, implementing internal linking to encourage further exploration, optimizing content readability and structure, and matching content closely to user search intent and expectations.

Examples of Dwell Time

  • 1

    A how-to guide increasing dwell time from 30 seconds to 4 minutes by adding step-by-step videos and detailed explanations

  • 2

    A product review page improving dwell time by including comprehensive comparisons, pros and cons, and user testimonials

  • 3

    A blog post extending dwell time by adding interactive elements, relevant images, and related content recommendations

  • 4

    A business service page increasing dwell time by providing detailed case studies, testimonials, and comprehensive service explanations

Frequently Asked Questions about Dwell Time

Terms related to Dwell Time

User Experience (UX)

SEO

User Experience (UX) encompasses all aspects of how users interact with and perceive a website, application, or digital product, including usability, accessibility, performance, design, and overall satisfaction. In the context of SEO and AI-powered search, UX has become increasingly important as search engines and AI systems use user behavior signals to evaluate content quality and relevance.

Good UX involves intuitive navigation and site structure, fast loading times and responsive performance, mobile-friendly and accessible design, clear and engaging content presentation, easy-to-use forms and interactive elements, and consistent branding and visual design.

Search engines like Google incorporate various UX signals into their ranking algorithms, including bounce rate, dwell time, click-through rates, and Core Web Vitals metrics. For AI-powered search and GEO optimization, UX is crucial because AI systems often consider user engagement and satisfaction signals when determining content quality and credibility.

Content hosted on websites with poor UX may be less likely to be cited or referenced by AI models, as these systems increasingly factor in the overall quality and trustworthiness of the source. Additionally, as AI systems become more sophisticated, they may directly evaluate UX factors when assessing content quality.

Optimizing UX for both users and AI systems requires user research and testing, responsive and accessible design implementation, performance optimization across devices, clear information architecture, and continuous monitoring and improvement based on user feedback and behavior data.

Share this term

Stay Ahead of AI Search Evolution

The world of AI-powered search is rapidly evolving. Get your business ready for the future of search with our monitoring and optimization platform.

Learn More About GEOStart Free Trial