The below YouTube Analytics Device type chart is one of those metrics that looks simple, but it actually tells you a lot about how people are experiencing your content. In this article, we break down the 4 device types and what they could tell you about how your audience are consuming your content – and it matters more than you might think!
Here’s how to read it — especially if you’re new to YouTube Analytics and need a little guidance on what this metric means and whether this is giving the right signals for your channel.
What this chart is showing
This breakdown is based on YouTube video watch time, not views, over the last 28 days.
So it answers the question:
Where are people actually spending time watching my videos?
In this example:
- TV – 56.8%
- Mobile phone – 26.8%
- Computer – 10.9%
- Tablet – 5.4%
So when we look at the above data, there are some big signals in here that can guide us in the way we make content.
Why TV being high really matters
When TV is your top device, it usually means:
- Viewers are watching longer sessions
- Your content is being treated more like lean-back viewing
- People are choosing your video intentionally, not just scrolling past it
TV watch time is often slower, more focused, and more forgiving — which is great for:
- Longer videos
- Commentary channels
- Explainer videos, like “how to” guides
- Streams and VOD-style content, like live stream highlights and day in the life videos
This is generally a very healthy sign for a channel – it means people are spending more time watching your content which can only be a good thing for audience engagement and monetisation later on.
Mobile still plays a key role
Even with TV dominating, mobile at ~27% tells you:
- Thumbnails still matter a lot
- Titles need to be readable on a small screen
- First 5–10 seconds are critical (mobile viewers bounce faster)
A common pattern is:
- Discovery happens on mobile
- Watch time happens on TV
That’s normal and actually ideal.
Lower computer traffic isn’t a problem
New creators sometimes worry when desktop numbers are low — you don’t need to.
Desktop viewers tend to be:
- More common in tutorial-heavy niches
- More common for creators targeting other creators
Entertainment, gaming, commentary, and long-form content often skew TV-first, especially as channels grow.
How to use this data going forward
If your TV percentage is high:
- Think bigger visuals (less tiny on-screen text)
- Slower pacing works better than rapid cuts
- Clear audio matters more than flashy editing
If mobile is growing:
- Keep titles punchy and readable
- Avoid cluttered thumbnails
- Get to the point quickly
Most importantly this metric is descriptive, not something to “fix”. It tells you how your audience prefers to watch — your job is to lean into it, not fight it. So if your device type data reads like the chart above, then lean into that longer form content with clear visuals for the big screen!
If you’re new to metrics, this is a great one to understand early. It helps you make smarter creative decisions without overthinking the numbers.
