The Carry Signals
Views measure what the platform did for you; shares and saves measure what viewers did for you — and platforms know the difference.
The two heaviest signals on the dashboard — a share risks reputation, a save predicts a return visit.
What it actually measures
A share puts the sharer's taste on the line to a specific person — a personal endorsement, which is why shared-in viewers convert better than cold ones. A save is a viewer scheduling a future session with your video. Both predict satisfaction better than any passive signal, so feeds weight them heavily.
How to read it
- 1
Read shares per view, not raw shares — a small video with a high carry rate is a format worth repeating.
- 2
Saves signal utility (tutorials, references, lists); shares signal identity and emotion. Different content earns each — know which yours is built for.
- 3
Ask the audit question while editing: would anyone send this to a specific person?
- 4
Classic misread: calling informational content a failure on low shares when saves are quietly carrying it.