How long should a video be?

The ideal length of a video depends on its purpose, platform, and audience, but here are some general guidelines:

Corporate or Brand Story Videos

1. • 2 to 3 minutes: Brand stories can run a little longer because they’re focused on establishing an emotional connection. Use this time to share the company’s mission, values, and vision in an authentic way.

Animation Videos

• 1 to 3 minutes: Animation videos should be concise but thorough enough to explain the key benefits and features of a product or service. Aim for around 2-3 minutes for optimal engagement.

Product Demos

1. • 1 to 3 minutes: Product demos should be detailed enough to show off features and benefits but short enough to keep viewers interested. Around 2 minutes is a good target for showcasing a product effectively.

Training and Educational Videos

1. • 2 to 6 minutes per segment: For training, it’s best to break content into small, digestible sections. Aim for no more than 6 minutes per segment, with a total length based on the complexity of the topic.

Testimonial Videos

1. • 1 to 2 minutes: Short, sincere testimonials work best. Aim to keep these videos around a minute for maximum impact, focusing on real experiences and benefits.

Social Media Ads (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)

1. • 15 to 30 seconds: Quick, attention-grabbing content works best for social media ads. These platforms prioritize short videos that engage audiences immediately, especially since users often scroll quickly.

YouTube Ads

1. • 6 seconds for bumper ads and 15 to 30 seconds for skippable ads: Short, impactful messages are ideal for YouTube’s ad formats. For non-skippable ads, aim for around 15 seconds; longer ads can work if the story is highly engaging.

Social Media Stories (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)

1. • 10 to 15 seconds per story segment: These platforms thrive on ultra-short, informal video content that hooks viewers quickly. Aim to keep individual story segments short, but multiple segments can be combined for a longer narrative.

LinkedIn Videos

1. • 30 seconds to 2 minutes: For professional audiences, concise, value-driven content is best. Informative, educational videos perform well on LinkedIn, especially if they’re under 2 minutes.

Webinars or Educational Sessions

• 20 to 60 minutes: For in-depth educational content, longer formats work well. Make sure to structure the content clearly, include breaks, and keep engagement high for longer videos.

In general, shorter videos work best for awareness and social media, while longer videos are suitable for education and in-depth topics. Aim to deliver value early on, regardless of length, to keep audiences engaged from the start.