How are video views counted?
Understanding how SmartVideo counts views helps you predict usage and manage your plan effectively. Here's a deep dive into how it works.
When a view is counted
A view is counted when the SmartVideo player initializes to prepare a video for playback on one of your pages. The visitor doesn't need to click play - as soon as our predictive lazy-loading system detects potential intent to play, we count the view and begin optimizing delivery. This means playback is essentially instant once the visitor actually hits play, but bandwidth and resources are already being used at that point.
In practice:
- Even if a visitor watches just a few seconds, or doesn't click play at all, a view is still registered.
- If the same visitor loads the page multiple times (or refreshes), each load counts as a separate view.
- Seeking, pausing, or rewatching sections within the same page load all stay on the same view.
- Crawlers that don't execute JavaScript don't trigger the player, so they don't register as views.
Why we count views, not bandwidth
- Tracking by bandwidth would unfairly penalize users who deliver high-quality HD video, since higher quality consumes more data.
- By charging based on views only, you can always deliver the best-quality video without worrying about costs tied to file size.
- Because view events closely mirror page views, they align neatly with standard web analytics.
View limits by plan
| Plan | Monthly View Limit | Overage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 10,000 | $2 per 1,000 views |
| Growth | 50,000 | $1 per 1,000 views |
| Pro | 150,000 | $0.75 per 1,000 views |
For current plan pricing, visit our pricing page.
Checking your view count
You can see your current view usage in the SmartVideo Dashboard. The dashboard shows your total views for the current billing period so you always know where you stand.
What happens when you exceed your limit?
If you go over your plan's monthly view limit, overage charges are applied at the rate listed above. You won't experience any interruption in service - your videos keep playing normally. The overage amount is added to your next invoice.
If you're consistently going over, it may be worth upgrading to the next plan tier for a lower per-view rate.