Understanding how SmartVideo counts views helps you predict usage and manage your plan effectively.
When a view is counted
A view is counted when a visitor’s browser loads a page that contains a SmartVideo-enabled video. The visitor does not need to click play for it to count. SmartVideo begins preparing the video for playback as soon as the page loads, which uses resources on our network, so the view is registered at that point.
If the same visitor watches the same video multiple times (or loads the page multiple times), each load counts as a separate view.
What about bots and crawlers?
Views are recorded on page load when the SmartVideo player begins preparing the video. Crawlers that don’t execute the player script aren’t counted. We don’t actively filter user agents beyond that, so atypical traffic patterns may still show up in your stats.
Why we count views, not bandwidth
Tracking by bandwidth would unfairly penalize sites that deliver high-quality HD video, since higher quality means more data. Charging by views lets you deliver the best-quality video without worrying about costs tied to file size. View events also map cleanly onto standard page-view analytics.
Checking your view count
You can see your current view usage in the SmartVideo Dashboard. The dashboard shows your total views for the current billing period so you always know where you stand.
View limits by plan
| Plan | Monthly View Limit | Overage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Startup ($19/mo annual) | 10,000 | $2 per 1,000 views |
| Growth ($59/mo annual) | 50,000 | $1 per 1,000 views |
| Pro ($99/mo annual) | 150,000 | $0.75 per 1,000 views |
For the latest pricing details, visit our pricing page.
What happens when you exceed your limit?
If you go over your plan’s monthly view limit, overage charges are applied at the rate listed above. You won’t experience any interruption in service - your videos keep playing normally. The overage amount is added to your next invoice.
If you’re consistently going over, it may be worth upgrading to the next plan tier for a lower per-view rate.
Keywords: video view, view count, views counted, overage, view limit, billing views