Methods that can optimize data storage via tracking flashcopy use are provided. One method includes storing flashcopies of data to a target volume in which the data is stored on a source volume and each flashcopy represents a particular portion of the data. The method further includes tracking a quantity of input/output (I/O) requests for each respective portion of the data on the target volume represented by a flashcopy and copying a particular portion of the data from the source volume to the target volume in response to receiving a predetermined quantity of I/O requests on the target volume for the particular portion of the data. Systems and apparatus that can include, perform, and/or implement the methods are also provided.