Dwell time is the quiet vote a reader casts with their attention. The longer they stay before bouncing back to the results, the more likely your page actually delivered.
The short version
Dwell time is the amount of time a visitor spends on a page after clicking through from search results, before returning to those results. Longer dwell time generally suggests the content satisfied the searcher.
How to improve it
Answer the intent quickly, then keep them reading
Use clear structure, visuals, and scannable sections
Match the content to what the searcher expected
FAQ
Is dwell time the same as time on page?
Not exactly. Time on page is a general analytics metric. Dwell time specifically relates to the gap between a search click and a return to the results.