Here you will find youtube metrics that will help you make logical desintions

But the main factor is views, so if you had to only look at one metrics is, if you got more views make more of the same content, if you got less stop and try something else.

MetricDescription
Watch TimeTotal amount of time viewers have spent watching your content.
Average Percentage ViewedThe average percentage of a video that viewers watch.
Average View DurationAverage time spent watching a video per view.
Audience RetentionShows the percentage of viewers who continue watching your video over time.
Engagement MetricsLikes, dislikes, comments, and shares.
ImpressionsCount how often your video’s thumbnail is shown to viewers.
Click-Through Rate (CTR)CTR indicates the percentage who clicked to watch.
Shown in Feed (Specific to Shorts)Number of times your Short was displayed in the Shorts feed.
Views vs. Swipes Away (Specific to Shorts)Compares the number of viewers who watched your Short to those who swiped away.
Traffic Source TypesBreakdown of where your viewers are finding your content (e.g., YouTube search, external websites, suggested videos).
DemographicsAge, gender, geographic location, and more.
Revenue Metrics (For Monetized Channels)Estimated revenue, revenue per mille (RPM), and playback-based cost per mille (CPM).
Unique ViewersThe estimated number of individuals who have watched your content over a specific period.
Subscriber GrowthTracks the number of subscribers gained and lost over time.
Returning Viewers vs. New ViewersCompares the number of viewers who are returning vs. those watching for the first time.
Subscribers vs. Non-Subscribers Viewing PatternsAnalyzes viewing behavior patterns between subscribers and non-subscribers.
Watch Time from Subscribers vs. Non-SubscribersCompares the watch time generated by subscribers versus non-subscribers.

You can make difreant logical disctions based on these metrex here are some examples:

Thumbnail & Title Performance

Primary: CTR + Impressions
Logic: If CTR is low despite high impressions, your thumbnail/title needs improvement

Content Quality Assessment

Combine: Average View Duration + Audience Retention + Average Percentage Viewed
Logic: These together show if people actually enjoy your content after clicking
Note: Low retention with high CTR means great thumbnail but content needs work

Audience Growth Analysis

Combine: Subscriber Growth + Returning Viewers vs. New Viewers + Subscribers vs. Non-Subscribers Viewing Patterns
Logic: Shows if you’re building a loyal audience or just getting one-time viewers

Content Distribution Strategy

Combine: Traffic Source Types + Watch Time per source
Logic: Shows where your successful viewers come from

Revenue Optimization (For monetized channels)

Combine: Watch Time + RPM + Demographics
Logic: Identifies which audience segments generate most revenue

Audience Engagement Quality

Combine: Engagement Metrics (likes, comments) + Watch Time + Subscriber Growth
Logic: Shows if engagement translates to loyal viewer

Platform-Specific Performance (Shorts vs Regular)

Combine: Shown in Feed + Views vs. Swipes Away + Subscriber Growth
Logic: Determines if Shorts are effectively growing your channel

Geographic Content Strategy

Combine: Demographics + Watch Time + Traffic Sources + Time of Upload
Logic: Shows when and where your content performs best

Subscriber Value Analysis

Combine: Watch Time from Subscribers vs. Non-Subscribers + Revenue Metrics + Audience Retention
Logic: Shows if subscribers are more valuable than random viewers

Content Discoverability Analysis

Combine: Impressions + Traffic Sources + Average View Duration
Logic: Shows if YouTube is recommending your content to the right audience

Viral Potential Assessment

Combine: Initial 24hr Views + Share Rate + Traffic Source Types
Logic: Indicates if content has viral potential

I will be able to create a plugin in Eagle that provides me with these metrics later on, once I know which metrics I need the most.