Guidelines for Video Length
As a general rule of thumb in Online Video Production, most videos should be under two minutes, but as always there are exceptions. Also each social media network varies in its requirements.
Although most videos are best kept to two minutes or less, the duration of any particular video depends entirely on the end use, the chosen network and, in some cases the, industry.
It is also worth considering the video’s position in your sales funnel. Generally speaking, the further down the funnel your lead moves, the more information they will be able to digest, so start with short punchy video and move on to more lengthy information-rich videos as they move further down the funnel
Here are a few statistics:
- 73% of business videos are two minutes or less in length
- Only 2% of promotional videos are longer than ten minutes long
- 87% of all business videos are viewed on desktop
Here are a few more details
How Long For Social Media Videos
All social media sites have their rules and regulations when it comes to video and video length. Here are some simple guidelines to help you in your video production.
Instagram Video
Instagram videos should be between 30-60 seconds in length. The 30-second midpoint is the sweet spot for Instagram’s fast-moving audience. On Instagram, always try to get your key messages across in the first 15 seconds. IGTV (Instagram TV) videos can be up to 10 minutes long.
Facebook Video
On Facebook, videos can be as long as four hours long! But just because modern video production methods make that possible, it doesn’t mean you should do it. If nothing else, producing a high quality 4 hour video would very time consuming and expensive.
Most promotional videos on Facebook are between 30-90 seconds long.
Facebook Live is a great way to connect with customers in real time. You can broadcast for up to four hours and, as with Instagram Live, the longer your live video runs, the greater your chances that people will discover it. Just be sure not to go below 10 minutes, which is about how much time it takes for people to be notified and tune in.
LinkedIn Video Length
Linkedin video can be up to 10 minutes in length but again, most Linkedin users are busy professionals who are unlikely to spend ten minutes watching an online video. keep your videos below the 1.30-2.00 minute mark and you will catch more of your audiences attention.
YouTube Video Production
Again on youtube, video can stretch to enormous lengths but 2 minutes or under is a good general rule for general promotional video for you business
Twitter Video Length
Twitter videos can be up to 2.20 minutes in length but it is worth bearing in mind that Twitter champions itself on rapid, no-nonsense communication, so its users are unlikely to go the distance. Try to keep your videos below the 1.20 minute mark and you should see more success.
Pinterest Video
As a general rule Pinterest videos should range from 15 to 30 seconds with detailed demos or explainer videos being the exception.
Snapchat Video Length
10 seconds is all you get on Snapchat. Seen and gone in a snap of your fingers.
Website Video Production
Try to keep the videos on your website below the two minute mark, particularly on your homepage or landing pages. As visitors delve deeper into your site, longer videos can provide more detail. You should always try to position your video at the top of the page (above the fold), so it is the first thing visitors see.
Other Videos
Demos, explainer videos, interviews, tutorials and webinars can all be significantly longer but you should always try to edit out as much as possible. Less is always more.
Whatever video you are looking to produce, we would love to help your create it. Just drop Dave a note at dave@digitallyfocused.co.uk and he’ll get in touch to move things forward.