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Rishabh leads the content strategy at Content Beta, a creative video and design agency for Tech & SaaS companies.
With the ever-growing popularity of mobile devices, vertical videos have become a big deal in the world of social media. Vertical video format can provide a more immersive viewing experience.
So while not a strict requirement, Vertical videos are generally more engaging and effective for mobile users. It provides creative freedom to create compelling social media content that aligns with graphic design principles and your branding guidelines.
Have you ever wondered about
This blog will guide you through all these questions and more.
We will delve into the specifics of video dimensions for popular platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook. These technical details can make your videos look their best and have the most impact. Ready to get started?
Vertical videos, as their name suggests, are videos that are shot or edited to be viewed in portrait mode. The height of the video is greater than its width.
The rise of smartphones has propelled the popularity of vertical videos, aligning with the natural way we handle our devices. This format typically has a 9:16 aspect ratio in contrast to the conventional 16:9 landscape format used in films and television.
There are different types of vertical videos with various use cases:
Using the vertical aspect ratio, especially on mobile devices and social media platforms, offers several advantages, which include:
The unique full-screen display of vertical videos grabs attention effectively, standing out in social media feeds.
Platforms like Instagram and TikTok prioritize vertical content, so your vertical videos are more likely to be seen and shared.
The distinct format of vertical videos challenges creators to think innovatively, leading to fresh and engaging content.
By filling the entire mobile screen, vertical videos give an immersive experience that captures undivided attention.
Vertical videos fill the entire phone screen, creating a more immersive viewing experience that increases engagement.
Vertical videos align with how we naturally hold our phones. This provides a seamless and comfy viewing experience.
Vertical videos often feel more personal and less polished, which can help businesses seem more authentic and approachable.
Creating vertical videos matches how we naturally hold our phones, making it easier to produce without extra equipment.
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat prioritize vertical videos. Aligning with this trend means reaching more viewers.
With the rise of mobile technology, vertical videos are perfectly optimized for smartphone users. It provides an immersive and engaging viewing experience. Let’s delve deeper into why your brand should prioritize vertical videos for social media.
Vertical videos often have lower exit rates and higher click-through rates, leading to better overall performance metrics.
Vertical videos are an excellent tool for storytelling. Their close-up nature allows brands to create a personal and engaging experience.
As social media trends evolve, vertical video is becoming the standard. Embracing this trend now will future-proof your brand.
Vertical video ads perform better than horizontal ads, having higher completion rates and better conversion rates.
The vertical format is ideal for creating authentic, behind-the-scenes content which users love to see on social media.
Vertical videos are more likely to be shared on social media, amplifying your brand’s message.
Vertical videos leave room for captions, hashtags, and CTAs within the video frame, enhancing user engagement.
Shooting vertically with a smartphone can reduce production costs, especially beneficial for small businesses and startups. Most frequently, vertical videos yield the lowest CPC (cost per click) and CPV (cost per view), offering optimum value for money.
If you’re asking yourself, “Should I go vertical or square with my videos?” – We’ve got a nifty little comparison table here that lays it all out – the good, the bad, and the ideal situations to use each one.
It’s a straightforward comparison between vertical and square videos to help you determine which format would work best for your social media strategy:
| Video Type | Vertical | Square |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | Stories, IGTV, Facebook Watch, TikTok, YouTube Shorts | Instagram posts, Facebook posts, Twitter posts, LinkedIn posts |
| Advantages | Full screen on mobile, higher engagement rates, more immersive, better suited for mobile-first content | Compatible with most platforms, can be viewed comfortably on both desktop and mobile, better for platforms where vertical isn't optimized |
| Disadvantages | May not be optimal on a desktop, requires more precise framing | Smaller display on mobile, less immersive compared to vertical videos |
| Ideal Use Cases | Personal updates, behind-the-scenes, tutorials, interviews, demonstrations, bite-sized content | General posts, infographics, photo slideshows, news updates, product showcases |
TikTok and YouTube favor full-screen vertical videos with an aspect ratio of 9:16 (1080×1920). This maximizes screen coverage and immersion.
Instagram and Facebook, on the other hand, offer a bit of flexibility with a minimum aspect ratio of 4:5 (1080×1350). This allows for slightly less tall videos, providing some flexibility in video creation and editing.
For impactful and captivating vertical videos, grasp the format’s distinct features. Consider the following best practices when crafting vertical content:
Start by shooting your videos in portrait mode, to begin with. It saves editing time and ensures proper framing.
Vertical videos demand precise framing. Position your primary subject centrally or off-center based on the rule of thirds to keep them in focus.
Vertical videos thrive on tight shots and close-ups. These accentuate key elements, creating an intimate viewer experience.
Design for mobile viewing. Since most social media users are on mobile, design your videos with a mobile-first approach. Texts and graphics should be clear, and the audio must be audible on mobile devices.
To keep the video professional, use a tripod or a stabilizer. Minimize sudden movements when shooting handheld.
Use transitions like fades, swipes, or slides that complement vertical videos. Stay away from landscape-specific transitions.
Each social media platform (like Facebook Watch, Instagram Reels, etc.) has its specifications for video size. Make sure to optimize your content for the platform it’s being posted on.
Grab viewers’ attention in the first few seconds. It’s crucial to get them hooked early. Use direct, conversational language to make viewers feel like they’re part of the action.
Keep your content concise. Given the short attention spans on social media, create crisp content that hooks viewers swiftly.
Many users watch videos without sound. So subtitles can significantly improve the viewing experience. Enhance your videos with on-screen text and graphics to emphasize key points.
Repurposing landscape content? Make sure to reframe the content to the vertical format – crop, zoom, or rearrange as needed.
Always include a clear call to action. Tell viewers what you want them to do after watching.
Social media is always evolving, so stay current with the latest trends and adapt your content accordingly. Use a variety of video types (like Stories, Reels, etc.) to find out what works best for your audience.
Always watch your video on a mobile device before publishing, to make sure it’s good to go.
Use analytics to see what’s working and what isn’t. Fine-tune your content marketing strategy based on these insights.
Keeping up with trends and retaining your audience’s interest is always challenging for marketers. As brands now lean heavily on video content, it’s crucial to employ the right social media video specifications and ad video sizes.
To enhance the viewer experience, the content must fit the platform perfectly, avoiding the need for phone rotation. Remember, a well-crafted 15-second vertical video ad can maximize engagement and viewership.
Salesforce is a customer relationship management solution that brings companies and customers together.
HubSpot is an all-in-one inbound marketing, sales, and service platform to help businesses grow.
Asana is a project management tool designed to help teams organize, track, and manage their work.
Xero is an online accounting software for small businesses.
SurveyMonkey is an online tool for creating and conducting surveys.
Note – However, Instagram has discontinued the standalone IGTV feature. It has integrated IGTV with in-feed videos, creating a unified Instagram Video feature.
Examples:
Zendesk is a customer service software and support ticketing system.
Freshworks is a suite of business software that includes customer support, sales, and marketing tools.
Trello is a web-based project management application that uses boards, lists, and cards to organize tasks.
Slack is a communication platform for teams, offering real-time messaging, archiving, and search.
Mailchimp is an all-in-one marketing platform for businesses, primarily offering email marketing services.
Examples:
Cisco is a global technology conglomerate that develops, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, software, and other high-technology services and products.
Microsoft is a multinational technology company known for its software products.
Dropbox is a file hosting service that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, personal cloud, and client software.
Zoom is a video conferencing tool that provides remote conferencing services using cloud computing.
Google is a multinational technology company specializing in Internet-related services and products, including search engines, online advertising technologies, and cloud computing.
Examples:
Adobe is a multinational computer software company known for its creative and multimedia software products.
Shopify is a commerce platform that allows anyone to set up an online store and sell their products.
Grammarly is an online writing assistant that helps improve grammar and punctuation.
Square is a financial services and mobile payment company that enables businesses to accept card payments and also provides reporting and analytics.
Morning Brew is a daily newsletter that delivers the latest news from Wall Street to Silicon Valley.
Examples:
Netflix is a streaming service that offers a wide variety of award-winning TV shows, movies, anime, documentaries, and more on thousands of internet-connected devices.
Amazon is an e-commerce platform that also provides cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence services.
Yubo is a social discovery app to make new friends and build communities.
Bumble is a dating app where women make the first move.
Redbull is an energy drink sold by an Austrian company known for its sponsorship of a range of sporting events and teams.
Ensuring an accurate vertical aspect ratio is crucial when creating video ads or B2B videos. Vertical video dimensions typically follow a 9:16 aspect ratio, but this can vary slightly depending on the platform.
These platforms all support vertical video formats for both desktop and mobile viewers. Utilizing appropriate dimensions creates an engaging viewing experience without the distraction of letterboxing.
We’re not your average design service – we’re Creative as a Service! We help you share the story of your product in many ways. This includes making videos (explainer videos, demo videos, and training videos), design (whitepapers, presentations, and eBooks), and we can edit your podcasts too.
We’re experts at creating content for the B2B Tech, Software, and SaaS industries.
Our prices are straightforward, transparent, and there are no hidden costs. We’re able to handle big tasks and meet tight deadlines. We have a quick turnaround and response time. Plus, you can always see how your project is progressing through our project dashboard.
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We are in the age of vertical videos and it’s crucial for businesses to adapt. It can have a massive impact, drawing in your audience and making your content stand out among the rest.
The world of social media is constantly evolving. We must adapt and keep up with the changes. Always strive to stay updated with the latest trends and requirements in the digital space. It’s ideal to invest where you get the most benefit.
In the end, it’s not just about knowing the specs but also about how you tell your story within them. Make the most of this format and create content that truly resonates with your audience. Happy creating!
Vertical videos are most commonly used on mobile-centric social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook’s mobile app.
You should use vertical videos for marketing because
TikTok vertical video size is typically 1080×1920 pixels.
Instagram’s vertical video size is typically 1080 x 1350 pixels.
Facebook’s vertical video size is typically 1080 x 1350 pixels.
YouTube’s vertical video size is typically 1080×1920 pixels.
The vertical video format generally follows a 9:16 aspect ratio.
Vertical videos have a higher completion rate because they take up the entire screen on mobile devices, capturing the viewer’s attention and reducing distractions.
This format matches how users naturally hold their phones, enhancing the viewing experience and making them more likely to watch to the end.
You can use Story videos for marketing by –
Yes, it’s okay if your vertical videos are not full-screen. While full-screen is ideal, Instagram and Facebook do allow for a bit of flexibility with a minimum aspect ratio of 4:5.
Vertical videos are not just a trend. They are a response to the popularity of widespread use of smartphones and social media platforms that prefer vertical format. They’re here to stay.
