Exemplary embodiments relate to the creation of a media effect index for group video conversations. Media effect application (e.g., in the form of graphical overlays, filters, sounds, etc.) may be tracked in a timeline during a chat session. The resulting index may be used to create a highlights reel, which may serve as an index into a live show or may be used to determine the best time to insert materials into a recording of the conversation. The index may be used to automatically detect events in the video feed, to allow viewers to skip ahead to exciting moments (e.g., represented by clusters of applications of particular types of media effects), to determine where each participant spoke in a discussion, or to provide a common “watch together” experience while multiple users watch a common video. An analysis of the index may be used for research or consumer testing.