Measuring scroll depth and read rate
Scroll depth and active reading time show which content is read and where interest drops off. The results guide structure, length and topic choice.
Read rate and content budgets
Page views do not show whether content is read. For anyone investing in editorial content, content marketing or product pages, read rate shows which formats and topics pay off.
Measurement methods
Scroll depth: By default, GA4 records only the 90 per cent mark. We add 25, 50 and 75 per cent via Tag Manager.
Section visibility: An event fires when a section such as the conclusion or a call to action comes into view.
Reading time: Active time on the page, counted only while the tab is in the foreground.
Read rate: An article counts as read when its end is reached in a time that fits its length.
High scroll depth in very little time points to skimming.
Analysis
Comparing articles and page types shows which topics are read to the end and whether early exits relate to length, opening or device.
On product pages, it shows whether key arguments are seen.
Technology and data protection
Measurement runs via Tag Manager and GA4, or Matomo on your own servers, and only after consent. Each threshold fires once per page view, keeping data volumes and load time low.
Limits of measurement
Scroll depth measures attention only indirectly, as long pages reach the end less often. We therefore compare values with similar pages and with conversions.