Several years ago, most of the videos you would see on the internet were shot horizontally. Of course, you also had to watch them horizontally for a much better viewing experience. But, with the popularity of mobile devices like smartphones, videos are now vertically shot as it’s more natural and convenient to film them this way.
As such, the dramatic rise of using mobile gadgets made way to the increase of vertical video content. Vertical videos are just well suited on mobile devices, especially when you’re viewing them on social media platforms. In this article, I will discuss the top reasons why vertical videos matter in social media right now.
Social Media Platforms Are In for It
Major social media channels are now embracing vertical video content. While a few years ago you would frown upon seeing vertical videos on your Facebook Newsfeed, now the tables have been turned — it now seems strange to see horizontal videos on social media.
Snapchat is the first social media platform to have pioneered vertical video ads. Then, Facebook and Twitter rolled out their version of it in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Youtube has also introduced a dynamic video player that can adjust to vertical video content recently.
So, with this move from social media giants to embrace social media content, we are already witnessing, and we can expect more vertical videos on social media in the not too distant future.
Vertical Videos Are Better for Mobile Users
Research suggests that we hold our smartphones vertically 94 percent most of the time. Hence, the popularity of vertical videos on social media today is beneficial for many mobile users.
Videos in portrait mode look better and more natural for mobile users to watch. They’re more convenient to view because you don’t have to rotate the videos to watch them full-screen.
Better Performance
The statistics pointing to the better performance of vertical video content is pretty high. Now I will relate to you some of the numbers as proof that vertical videos really matter in social media.
According to Facebook, 79 percent of new video consumers consider vertical video content more engaging; while 65 percent of users look at brands that advertise using vertical videos more innovative. Snapchat, on the other hand, reports that vertical videos are being watched nine times more than videos with horizontal formatting.
Vertical Video Content Is Built for Social Media
Many mobile users spend more time watching videos on social media. And, since videos in portrait mode provide better user experience for mobile users, it’s only logical that vertical videos will continue their dominance on various social media channels. As they said, social media is a vertical phenomenon.
Top Brands Now Utilize Vertical Videos
Yes, you read it right, top brands now use vertical video content for social media marketing. With the meteoric rise and better performance of vertical videos, businesses see that vertical videos can help engage with their target audience, boost brand awareness, and ramp up sales.
Takeaway
Indeed, vertical videos are a staple on social media right now, and it’s difficult to imagine that their popularity will wane down in the coming years. I think it will be just the opposite. So, if you’re a marketer or someone who simply wants to get more views, you can’t go wrong with creating vertical video content on social media.
