Scroll Depth Vs Time Spent
Discover where visitors engage most deeply with page content by comparing how far they scroll against how long they stay at each section.
Quick start
1. Select the target page from the Pages dropdown
2. Set Date Range to Last 30 days for trend analysis
3. Look for the highest bars—these zones hold attention longest
4. Compare Converted vs Drop-off users to spot engagement differences
5. Click Analyse with AI for recommendations based on the patterns
Understanding the display
The chart displays a bar graph where each bar represents a 5% scroll zone. The X-axis shows scroll depth from 0% (top of page) to 100% (bottom). The Y-axis shows average time spent in seconds.
Taller bars indicate zones where visitors pause and engage. Short bars suggest content visitors scroll past quickly. A dramatic drop after the first zone often signals that above-the-fold content captures initial attention but fails to pull visitors deeper.
Visual indicators
| Indicator | Meaning |
| Tall bar | High engagement zone—visitors spend significant time here |
| Short bar | Low engagement—visitors scroll past quickly |
| Spike then drop | Strong opening content but weak follow-through below the fold |
| Even distribution | Consistent engagement throughout the page |
| Late spike | Footer content or CTA capturing attention |
What should I do next?
The pattern in the chart determines the best action:
| Pattern | Action |
| High at top, drops sharply | Strengthen content below the fold. Add compelling subheadings, images, or key points to pull visitors deeper. |
| Low throughout | Content fails to hold attention. Review page structure, reduce text walls, and add visual breaks. |
| Spike in middle section | Move that high-engagement content higher on the page to capture more visitors before they leave. |
| Converters stay longer at specific zones | Identify what content exists in those zones. Replicate that content type in low-engagement areas. |
| Drop-offs abandon at a specific depth | Audit that section for friction: confusing content, slow-loading elements, or weak value proposition. |
Using the filters
Filters appear at the top of the Page Engagement Dashboard and apply to all charts on the page.
Date range
| Option | Best for |
| Last 7 days | Recent behaviour after content changes |
| Last 30 days | Trend analysis with sufficient data (default) |
| Last 90 days | Long-term patterns and seasonal comparison |
Device
Filter by desktop, mobile, or tablet to see device-specific behaviour. Mobile visitors often scroll faster and abandon sooner—comparing devices reveals whether mobile experience needs separate optimisation.
User type
| Option | Shows |
| All | Combined data from all visitors |
| Converted | Only visitors who completed a conversion goal |
| Drop-off | Only visitors who left without converting |
| Comparison | Both cohorts overlaid for direct comparison |
Comparison mode is the most powerful view. When converters spend significantly more time at certain zones than drop-offs, that content is working. When both cohorts show similar low engagement, the content needs improvement regardless of conversion status.
Referrer
Filter by traffic source to compare behaviour from different channels. Organic search visitors often engage differently than social media traffic—what works for one audience may not work for another.
Interactive features
Hover over any bar to see the exact scroll zone percentage and average time spent. Use the menu icon (⋮) in the chart header to export as PNG, JPEG, or SVG for reports and presentations.
Troubleshooting
No data appears
The page may not have sufficient traffic during the selected date range. Expand the date range or select a higher-traffic page. Tracking also requires the SERP360 script to be installed on the page.
All bars are very short
Visitors are scrolling through content quickly without pausing. This is common for simple pages or pages where visitors already know what they want. Compare against similar pages to establish a baseline.
Data looks different from other analytics tools
SERP360 measures active time at each scroll zone, not total time on page. Other tools count time differently. Variations between tools are expected and normal.
FAQ
What counts as time spent?
SERP360 tracks active engagement time when a scroll zone is visible in the viewport. Background tabs and idle time are excluded.
How are scroll zones defined?
The page is divided into 5% increments from top to bottom. Each bar represents the average time visitors spend with that portion of the page visible.
Why do converters and drop-offs show similar patterns?
Similar engagement patterns suggest conversion decisions happen based on factors other than content engagement—such as price, prior brand awareness, or external research. The page content may be informational rather than persuasive.
Can I see individual session data?
This chart shows aggregated averages. Individual session analysis is available in the Session Recordings feature when enabled.