--- title: How Are Video Plays Calculated in Vidalytics? description: In this article we explain how Video Plays are Calculated. --- [Skip to content](https://help.vidalytics.com/how-are-video-plays-calculated#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![Logo Inline Blue](https://help.vidalytics.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo%20Inline%20Blue.png?width=200&height=29&name=Logo%20Inline%20Blue.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - Contact us Contact us How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Vidalytics Knowledge Center](https://help.vidalytics.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Analytics & Metrics](https://help.vidalytics.com/analytics-metrics?hsLang=en) 3. [Understanding Your Data](https://help.vidalytics.com/analytics-metrics?hsLang=en#understanding-your-data) # How Are Video Plays Calculated in Vidalytics? ## Understanding what counts as a play and where to find your play data across the platform. #### **What Counts as a Play?** In Vidalytics, a play is recorded when a viewer actually starts watching your video — meaning the video begins playing. A page load or an impression alone does not count. Only when playback is initiated does the system register it as a play. Vidalytics tracks plays in two ways: - **Unique plays** — each individual viewer is counted once per video, regardless of how many times they watch it. This gives you a cleaner picture of how many distinct people engaged with your content. - **Total plays** — the raw count of every time playback was initiated, including repeat views from the same viewer. **Note:** If you are using the **Smart Autoplay** feature, keep in mind that every time your video autoplays muted when the page loads, that is counted as a play. This means your play count may be higher than the number of viewers who actively chose to watch your video. **Tip:** If you want your play rate to reflect genuine viewer engagement, we recommend setting your Smart Autoplay to **Always Play Muted** in the Advanced settings of the Smart Autoplay feature. When the video always autoplays muted, the **unmute rate** becomes a much more accurate representation of your real play rate — since it captures the viewers who actively chose to engage with your content. #### **Why Do Play Numbers Look Different Across the Platform?** If you notice small discrepancies between play counts in different areas of your account, do not worry — your videos and your data are working correctly. Each section of the platform displays slightly different data, updated on different schedules. Here is a breakdown: **Main Dashboard** Shows **unique plays** from all your videos for the last 30 days by default. You can toggle the timeframe to adjust the date range displayed. [![](https://help.vidalytics.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Plays+calculated+1+KB.gif)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/i6av6kys/1396788490/5da8773f9298c89d7b06c0f32772/Plays+calculated+1+KB.gif?expires=1778631300&signature=ad91b078584a975fd2ae4b18041ec3c138103829cfaa9d2af846a567f9b3d574&req=dSMuEM52lYVWWfMW1HO4zfjUGPI9iEHGmVcRVu%2B7B9XoDricMVB%2F0aJj5V%2Bq%0A7e4puZmQwxjDV%2BG1xwI%3D%0A) **Top Videos List** Shows the **total plays** for each video since it was created, updated through the beginning of the previous day. **Video List** Also shows plays updated as of the beginning of the previous day. **Video Stats Page** Shows **unique plays** updated every 2 hours. You can also select a custom timeframe to filter the data shown. [![](https://help.vidalytics.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Vid+Stats+Page+Kb.gif)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/i6av6kys/1396795320/e994d28a0deb163423b9f944e585/Vid+Stats+Page+Kb.gif?expires=1778631300&signature=dbe9f471d648e94da260cefb9667d90ccef806a825b8ef96be3be9d231c69ff6&req=dSMuEM53mIJdWfMW1HO4zfP%2FZfroMK7pfXI3zyeNkYw2uSzwslK7pTio3ZIi%0A1%2FbYEuBs54VGzPG66Is%3D%0A) **Tip:** For the most up-to-date play count on a specific video, the **Video Stats Page** is your best reference since it refreshes every 2 hours. **Note:** All reports are displayed in the **UTC timezone.** --- For additional questions, feedback or assistance please feel free to reach out directly to our Customer Happiness Team at **[hi@vidalytics.com](mailto:hi@vidalytics.com).**   - [Account Management & Billing](https://help.vidalytics.com/account-management-billing?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Account Management](https://help.vidalytics.com/account-management-billing?hsLang=en#account-management) - [Billing](https://help.vidalytics.com/account-management-billing?hsLang=en#billing) - 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