Session Replay Analysis

Session replayglossary×Session RecordingSession recording captures user interactions within a product for later analysis.Open glossary term→ analysis is a quantitative UX and CRO method used to review recordings of real user sessionsglossary×SessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term→ to understand behaviourglossary×BehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term→ on a website or app.

It captures interactionsglossary×InteractionInteraction refers to any action a user takes within a product and how the system responds. It includes clicks, taps, gestures, and inputs that drive the user experience.Open glossary term→ such as clicks, taps, scrolling, typing, and navigationglossary×NavigationHow users move around a website or product.Open glossary term→, allowing you to watch how users move through an experience.

Unlike analytics alone, session replaysglossary×Session RecordingSession recording captures user interactions within a product for later analysis.Open glossary term→ show behaviourglossary×BehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term→ visually. They reveal how users interact with content, where they hesitate, and where things break down.

The goal is to uncover usabilityglossary×UsabilityUsability is how easy and efficient it is for users to complete tasks within a product. It focuses on clarity, simplicity, and reducing effort so users can achieve their goals without confusion or friction.Open glossary term→ issues, frictionglossary×FrictionFriction refers to anything that slows users down or makes it harder for them to complete a task. It can be caused by poor design, unnecessary steps, unclear messaging, or technical issues.Open glossary term→ points, and behavioural patternsglossary×PatternA reusable solution to a common design problem.Open glossary term→ that are difficult to identify through data alone.

Use this method when you need to understand behaviourglossary×BehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term→ in detail.

It is most useful when:

Set up properly.

Before you start, be clear on what journeysglossary×Pain PointA specific problem or frustration users experience when trying to complete a task.Open glossary term→ or pages you want to analyse, what tools you will use, and how sessionsglossary×SessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term→ are filtered and sampled.

Focus your analysis. Watching random sessionsglossary×SessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term→ without direction is inefficient.

Run the method.

Session replayglossary×Session RecordingSession recording captures user interactions within a product for later analysis.Open glossary term→ analysis is observational and patternglossary×PatternA reusable solution to a common design problem.Open glossary term→-driven.

Filter sessionsglossary×SessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term→ based on behaviourglossary×BehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term→, such as drop-offglossary×Drop-offDrop-off refers to users leaving a journey before completing a desired action or reaching the next step.Open glossary term→ or errors. Watch multiple sessions to identify patterns. Focus on key journeys or problem areas. Take notes on behaviour, hesitation, and interaction. Look for repeated issues across sessions.

Avoid drawing conclusions from a single sessionglossary×SessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term→.

Capture and make sense of it.

The value comes from identifying consistent patternsglossary×PatternA reusable solution to a common design problem.Open glossary term→.

Look across sessionsglossary×SessionA session is a single period of user interaction with a product, from entry to exit within a defined timeframe.Open glossary term→ to identify repeated frictionglossary×FrictionFriction refers to anything that slows users down or makes it harder for them to complete a task. It can be caused by poor design, unnecessary steps, unclear messaging, or technical issues.Open glossary term→ points, hesitation or confusion, unexpected behaviourglossary×BehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term→, and errors or failed interactions.

Combine findings with analytics to validate and prioritise issues.

Focus on:

Most issues come from:

If you rely on isolated examples, you will misinterpret behaviourglossary×BehaviourBehaviour refers to how users interact with a system, including actions, patterns, and responses.Open glossary term→.

Done properly, this method gives you:

If this sounds like something you need, we can help you understand what your users are actually doing and where they are struggling.

No guesswork. No assumptions. Just clear insightglossary×InsightAn insight is a meaningful understanding that explains why something is happening and what it means.Open glossary term→ you can act on.