Dwell Time

Definition

Dwell time is the amount of time a user spends on a page after clicking a search result and before returning to the SERP. It differs from time-on-page because it specifically measures the interval between a SERP click and the return to search results.

Why It Matters for SEO

Longer dwell time suggests the page satisfied the searcher's intent. While Google hasn't confirmed it as a direct ranking factor, creating content that keeps users engaged rather than bouncing back to search results correlates with better rankings.