What is session replay? Definition and examples
A replay of captured interactions on a website or app, such as clicks, scrolls and page changes, that your team can watch back.
Session replay: A replay of captured interactions on a website or app, such as clicks, scrolls and page changes, that your team can watch back.
Session replay helps you see where people struggle without asking them. Tools like Hotjar and Smartlook offer it.
Because replays capture a lot, they need careful masking of private information.
Example
- Watching someone click a disabled button three times.
- Seeing a visitor scroll past the pricing they were looking for.
What session replay shows and misses
| Shows | Misses |
|---|---|
| Where people clicked and scrolled | What they were trying to do |
| Rage clicks and dead ends | What they expected to happen |
| The order of pages | Why they gave up |
Session replay and feedback together
Replays help when you already know what to look for. Feedback tells you what to look for: someone reports “the code didn’t apply”, and the replay of that visit shows the step they took. Without a report, finding the one replay that matters among thousands takes a long time.
Privacy checklist
- Mask every input field by default.
- Exclude pages with payments or health data.
- Tell people in your privacy notice.
- Keep recordings only as long as you need them.
Where Bopmigo fits
Bopmigo isn’t a session replay tool; it collects what people tell you, with a screenshot of the moment and private details covered.
Questions
Is session replay legal?
It depends on where your users are and how you inform them and mask data. Check the rules that apply to you.
Does session replay slow down a site?
It adds some script and network use. Most tools sample a share of visits to limit it.
Can session replay replace user feedback?
No. It shows behaviour, not intent. You still need people to tell you what they expected.