A Session is the fundamental unit of data collection in Lookback.
Understanding what creates a Session - and what does not - is essential for planning studies, managing quotas, and interpreting results correctly.
This article explains Sessions from an operational perspective.
What is a Session?
A Session is one complete research interaction with a single participant, from start to finish.
A Session is created whenever a participant:
joins a study (moderated or unmoderated), and
completes one recorded interaction flow
This applies to:
Moderated sessions (LiveShare or Interview)
Unmoderated sessions (Tasks or SelfTest)
Remote or in-person sessions
Once completed, a Session exists as a recorded artifact that includes all captured activity.
When does a Session count? (minimum thresholds)
A Session is only counted once a minimum duration threshold is passed.
Unmoderated sessions (Tasks, SelfTest):
→ Count after 3 minutes of recorded activityModerated sessions (LiveShare, Interview):
→ Count after 5 minutes of recorded activity
If a participant drops before the threshold is reached, no Session is counted.
Maximum duration: when one Session becomes multiple
Sessions are counted in 2-hour blocks.
Up to 2 hours → 1 Session
More than 2 hours → 2 Sessions
More than 4 hours → 3 Sessions
And so on
This applies regardless of whether the study is moderated or unmoderated.
Reconnect behavior (important)
Reconnects that count as the same Session
A reconnect counts as the same Session if:
the participant reconnects on the same device, and
the reconnect happens within the same 2-hour window
Temporary drops, refreshes, or accidental disconnects do not create new Sessions under these conditions.
Reconnects that create a new Session
A new Session is counted if:
the participant reconnects using a different device, or
the reconnect occurs after the 2-hour window, or
the participant intentionally starts a new recorded interaction
Even if the participant is the same person, device changes always create a new Session.
What is included in a Session
A Session includes everything recorded during that interaction, including:
screen recording (when applicable)
participant audio and (if enabled) camera video
touches, taps, and gestures (when supported)
time-stamped notes
observer chat
transcriptions (if enabled)
Findings created from that Session
Reels that reference Findings from that Session
All of this belongs to one Session, unless duration or device rules trigger additional Sessions.
Diary studies and repeated participation
In diary or longitudinal studies:
Each recorded entry counts as one Session
Multiple entries by the same participant = multiple Sessions
Example:
5 participants
5 diary entries each
→ 25 Sessions total
Sessions are counted per recorded interaction, not per participant.
What does NOT create a Session
The following do not count as Sessions:
Preview Sessions
Observer views
Stakeholders watching live or replay
Researchers reviewing recordings
Notes, tags, or Findings created after the Session
Only participant-initiated, recorded interactions are counted.
Deleting Sessions
If a Session is deleted:
its recording is permanently removed
all Findings created from it are deleted
it may not be recoverable
Deleting a Session does not restore session quota.
Why this matters
Understanding session counting helps you:
estimate quotas accurately
design diary and longitudinal studies safely
handle reconnects without stress
explain billing clearly to stakeholders
avoid accidental over-consumption of Sessions