Hook Score
A 0–100 rating of how effectively the first 3 seconds of a video captures viewer attention.
A hook score measures the effectiveness of a video's opening — typically the first 2–3 seconds — at stopping the scroll and compelling the viewer to keep watching.
Different tools calculate hook scores differently. Pattern-matching tools (like TryGoViral) derive hook scores from historical engagement data — comparing your hook to hooks that have performed well on similar content. fMRI-prediction tools (like VidCognition) calculate hook scores based on predicted neural activation: how strongly the hook activates the viewer's attention networks, emotional processing regions, and curiosity circuits.
A strong hook score (70+) typically correlates with:
- High 3-second retention rate on TikTok/Reels/Shorts
- Lower swipe-away rate in the first 2 seconds
- Better algorithmic distribution (TikTok, Reels, and Shorts algorithms weight 3-second retention heavily)
VidCognition's hook score is a composite of three sub-scores: Curiosity Gap (0–33), Emotional Salience (0–33), and Cognitive Accessibility (0–34). Each reflects a distinct neural mechanism.
Try it with VidCognition
Related Terms
Engagement Curve
A visualization of how viewer retention changes second by second throughout a video.
Curiosity Gap
The psychological tension created when a viewer knows enough to be interested but not enough to feel satisfied — compelling them to keep watching.
Hook Miss
A drop-off pattern where a video loses more than 40% of viewers before the 3-second mark.