Dev Tools · 1h ago
Build a Video Watch-Time Heatmap with Zero Dependencies
This tutorial shows how to create a video watch-time heatmap using a client-side interval tracker, a beacon endpoint with SQLite per-second counters, and a canvas renderer. The tracker records watched intervals rather than events to accurately capture seeks and rewinds. No third-party analytics SDK is needed, keeping data under the developer's control.
Meridian48 take
A practical DIY alternative to premium analytics features, though production use would require scaling the SQLite backend and handling concurrent viewers.
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Build a video watch-time heatmap: interval tracker, beacon endpoint, canvas render →
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