Analyzer · 100% free, no signup · Updated May 2026
Is your intro killing retention? Check in 5 seconds.
A free analyzer that verdicts a video intro's length against retention-curve research. Inputs: intro length in seconds + total video length + platform. Outputs: a 3-tier verdict (optimal / borderline / too long), an estimated retention loss percentage, and up to 5 specific cut suggestions.
Enter intro length in seconds + total video length. The checker uses YouTube retention curve research (2026 data) to verdict your intro: optimal / borderline / too long. Includes rewrite guidance.
Your video
YouTube long-form optimal: <8s · borderline 8-15s.
Verdict
Borderline
Estimated retention loss: ~9% of viewers drop off before content starts.
Intro is 2.5% of total video length.
Cuts to make
- → Cut the animated logo intro. Save it for the end card.
- → Remove "Hey guys, welcome back to the channel." Start mid-thought.
- → Skip the "in today's video we're going to..." preamble. Just do the thing.
Who this is for
YouTubers and TikTok creators whose 30-second branded intros are tanking retention.
The problem this solves
YouTube retention curve research shows: videos with intros >8 seconds lose ~23% of viewers vs videos that hook in <5 seconds. Most creators don't realize their branded intro is the retention killer. The checker surfaces the math.
Videos with intros longer than 8 seconds lose approximately 23% of viewers before content begins on YouTube long-form; on TikTok and Reels, the threshold drops to 3 seconds with a 70%+ drop-off for non-compliant intros.
Source: YouTube Creator Insider retention research 2024 + TikTok Creator Center hook study 2024
How to use it
- 01
Intro length (seconds)
When does the actual content start?
- 02
Total video length
In seconds (e.g. 600 = 10 min).
- 03
See verdict
Optimal (<8s) / borderline (8-15s) / too long (>15s).
- 04
Get rewrite guidance
If too long: 3 specific cuts to make your intro tighter.
What you get
- ✓ Verdict: optimal / borderline / too long
- ✓ Retention impact estimate (% viewers retained)
- ✓ 3 cut suggestions if too long
- ✓ Platform-aware threshold (TikTok stricter than YouTube)
Frequently asked
What's an "intro" exactly?
Everything before the actual content starts: animated logos, channel branding, "hey guys welcome back", music stings, sponsor pre-rolls. If a new viewer can't tell what the video is about, you're still in the intro.
How long should a YouTube long-form intro be?
Under 8 seconds optimal, 8-15 seconds borderline, 15+ seconds is too long. The first 8 seconds determine whether viewers stay or bounce — burn them on branding and you lose 23% before content even starts.
TikTok and Reels — what's the threshold?
Under 3 seconds for both. Short-form algorithms penalize slow starts faster than long-form. A 5-second intro on TikTok routinely loses 70%+ of viewers in the swipe.
Should I just delete my channel intro animation?
For long-form: move it to the end card or shorten to 1 second. For Shorts/TikTok/Reels: delete entirely. The retention math is unforgiving — branding doesn't belong in the first 8 seconds.
How does this differ from the Hook Analyzer?
The Hook Analyzer scores the *quality* of your opening line. This checker scores the *duration* before content starts. Both matter — a great hook 12 seconds in still loses 23% of viewers.
Related tools
Author + maintainer
Adrian Berisha — Founder of Clipflow. Indie SaaS builder shipping creator tools full-time since 2024. All tools and benchmarks on this page are reviewed quarterly. Last review: May 2026.
@clipflow on X · LinkedIn · hi@clipflow.to
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