Hello, content creators! Let’s talk about something you’ve probably wondered about: video length. You’ve probably wondered, “How long should my videos be?”. I Kirill Yurovskiy believe that the answer is not as simple as it seems. It depends on the platform you’re using and what you’re trying to accomplish. So, let’s dive into the world of optimal video length for different platforms and figure out how to keep your audience engaged without boring them to tears.
The TL;DR Version (Because We All Love a Quick Summary)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick rundown of optimal video lengths for popular platforms:
- TikTok: 15-60 seconds
- Instagram Reels: 15-30 seconds
- Instagram Stories: 15 seconds or less
- YouTube: 7-15 minutes (but it varies)
- Facebook: 1-3 minutes
- Twitter: 45 seconds or less
- LinkedIn: 30 seconds to 2 minutes
Now, let’s break it down platform by platform and see why these lengths work best.
TikTok: Keep It Short and Sweet
TikTok is the king of short-form content. The platform’s whole vibe is quick, catchy, and easily digestible videos. While TikTok allows videos up to 10 minutes long, the sweet spot is between 15 and 60 seconds. Why? Because TikTok users have the attention span of a goldfish (no offense, TikTokers). They’re scrolling through their For You Page faster than you can say “viral dance challenge.”
The key to success on TikTok is to grab attention immediately and deliver your message or punchline quickly. If you can do it in 15 seconds, even better. But don’t stress if you need a full minute – just make sure every second counts.
Instagram: Different Formats, Different Lengths
Instagram is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to video length. Let’s break it down:
Instagram Reels: These are Instagram’s answer to TikTok, so the same rules apply. Aim for 15-30 seconds of pure entertainment or information. Reels can be up to 90 seconds long, but shorter is usually better for engagement.
Instagram Stories: Each Story segment is limited to 15 seconds, but you can string multiple segments together. For best results, try to convey your message in a single 15-second clip. If you need more time, make sure each segment can stand alone, as some viewers might not watch the whole series.
Instagram Video Posts: You can post videos up to 60 minutes long on your feed, but that doesn’t mean you should. For feed videos, try to keep it under 2 minutes. People scrolling through their feed aren’t usually looking for long-form content.
IGTV: This is where you can go longer. IGTV videos can be up to 60 minutes long. But unless you’re a major influencer with a dedicated following, aim for 2-5 minutes for better engagement.
YouTube: The Long-Form Champion
YouTube is where things get interesting. Unlike other platforms, YouTube actually favors longer videos. Why? Because longer watch times mean more opportunities for ads, which means more money for YouTube (and potentially for you).
But how long is long enough? It depends on your content and your audience. Here are some general guidelines:
- Tutorial and how-to videos: 7-15 minutes
- Vlogs: 10-20 minutes
- Product reviews: 7-10 minutes
- Gaming videos: 20-40 minutes (or even longer for livestreams)
The key is to make your content as long as it needs to be to cover your topic thoroughly, but no longer. Don’t pad your videos with fluff just to hit a certain length. YouTube viewers are savvy and will click away if they feel like you’re wasting their time.
Pro tip: Check your YouTube Analytics to see where viewers are dropping off. This can help you optimize your video length and structure.
Facebook: The Goldilocks Zone
Facebook users are a diverse bunch, and they consume video content in different ways. Some might watch while scrolling through their feed, while others might settle in for a longer viewing session.
In general, videos between 1 and 3 minutes tend to perform best on Facebook. This length is long enough to deliver substantial content but short enough to keep scrollers engaged.
That said, Facebook is also pushing into longer-form content with Facebook Watch. If you’re creating episodic content or in-depth videos, you can go longer – just make sure the first minute or so is super engaging to hook viewers.
Twitter: Blink and You’ll Miss It
Twitter is all about quick hits of information, and its video content is no exception. While Twitter allows videos up to 2 minutes and 20 seconds long, shorter is definitely better here.
Aim for 45 seconds or less to keep your Twitter audience engaged. If you need more time, consider breaking your content into a thread of multiple shorter videos.
LinkedIn: Professional but Punchy
LinkedIn might be a professional network, but that doesn’t mean its users want to watch long, boring videos. For LinkedIn, aim for videos between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.
The key on LinkedIn is to deliver valuable, professional content in a concise format. Think quick tips, industry insights, or short interviews with thought leaders.
The Exception to the Rule: Live Streaming
We’ve talked a lot about pre-recorded videos, but what about live streaming? This is where the rules of optimal video length go out the window. Live streams can go on for hours, especially on platforms like Twitch, YouTube Live, and Facebook Live.
The key to successful live streaming is engagement. As long as you’re interacting with your audience and providing value, you can keep streaming. Just make sure to take breaks and give your viewers natural stopping points if they need to duck out.
Quality Over Quantity: It’s Not Just About Length
While we’ve spent a lot of time talking about optimal video lengths, it’s important to remember that quality trumps quantity every time. A 30-second video that’s boring or poorly made won’t perform as well as a 5-minute video that’s engaging and well-produced.
Here are some tips to make your videos more engaging, regardless of length:
- Start strong: Grab attention in the first few seconds.
- Get to the point: Don’t waste time with long intros.
- Use visuals: Keep things interesting with graphics, b-roll, or quick cuts.
- Tell a story: Even short videos can have a narrative arc.
- End with a call to action: Tell viewers what to do next.
Experiment and Analyze
At the end of the day, these guidelines are just that – guidelines. The best way to find the optimal video length for your content and your audience is to experiment and analyze your results.
Try creating videos of different lengths and see how they perform. Look at metrics like view duration, engagement rate, and conversion rate (if that’s relevant to your goals). Over time, you’ll get a feel for what works best for your specific audience on each platform.
The Final Cut
So, there you have it – a deep dive into optimal video lengths for different platforms. Remember, these aren’t hard and fast rules. They’re more like… guidelines. The pirate’s code of the video world, if you will.
The most important thing is to create content that resonates with your audience, regardless of length. Whether you’re making 15-second TikToks or 15-minute YouTube tutorials, focus on delivering value and keeping your viewers engaged.
Now, go forth and create awesome videos! And hey, if you made it to the end of this article, maybe you should consider making longer videos – clearly, you’ve got the attention span for it!