> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.upstackdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Meta Video Views: Measure Video Ad Engagement

> Track how many times your Meta video ads were watched for at least 3 seconds. Evaluate creative performance and optimize video campaigns.

<Tip>
  Meta Video Views counts how many times your video ad was watched for at least 3 seconds—Meta's default view threshold.
</Tip>

## Formula

<Info>
  **Meta Video Views** = **COUNT** ( 3-Second Video Views )
</Info>

### Formula Components

| Metric                   | Definition                                                           |
| ------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **3-Second Video Views** | Video plays where the user watched for at least 3 continuous seconds |

| Metadata        |                                   |
| --------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Type**        | Number                            |
| **Data Source** | [Meta Ads](/sources/facebook-ads) |
| **Aggregation** | Sum                               |

***

## Example

Your product demo campaign generated **125,000 video views** across Instagram and Facebook last month.

| Placement       | Video Views | Video Plays | View Rate |
| --------------- | ----------- | ----------- | --------- |
| Instagram Reels | 72,000      | 95,000      | 75.8%     |
| Facebook Feed   | 38,000      | 52,000      | 73.1%     |
| Stories         | 15,000      | 28,000      | 53.6%     |

***

## How It Works

Meta registers a video view when a user watches your ad for at least 3 continuous seconds. This threshold filters out accidental scrolls and auto-play skips, giving you a cleaner signal of intentional engagement. Views are counted across Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and the Audience Network.

***

## When to Use

| Scenario                             | Action                                                   |
| ------------------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Comparing video creative performance | Higher view counts signal more engaging content          |
| Evaluating audience targeting        | Low views relative to plays indicates targeting mismatch |
| Measuring brand awareness lift       | Track views alongside reach for exposure metrics         |
| Optimizing cost efficiency           | Compare cost per view across ad sets                     |

***

## Related Metrics

| Metric                                                                                              | Relationship                                             |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Meta Cost per Video View](/reference/metrics/advertising/meta/meta-video/meta-cost-per-video-view) | Spend efficiency—how much each 3-second view costs       |
| [Meta Video Plays](/reference/metrics/advertising/meta/meta-video/meta-video-plays)                 | Total plays including auto-play—always higher than views |
| [Meta Thruplay Views](/reference/metrics/advertising/meta/meta-video/meta-thruplay-views)           | Videos watched to completion or 15+ seconds              |

[See all Meta Video metrics →](/reference/metrics/advertising/meta/meta-video)