Method, system, and programs for measuring user engagement with content items. In one example, a query is received. A set of content items related to the query is obtained. A presentation of at least one content item of the set of content items is provided on a user interface. A user activity related to the at least one content item is determined. An amount of time between a time at which the presentation of the at least one content item is provided on the user interface and a time at which the user activity occurred is determined. A score associated with the content item is determined based on the amount of time. Information related to user engagement with the set of content items is generated based on the score.