Ever since it was launched in 2010, Instagram has grown in popularity and it has more than a billion active users today. Over time, video has evolved as the favorite form of content in the platform. Brands have started leveraging the power of Instagram videos and using the platform to get their message across to the audience. Hundreds of hours of branded video content are uploaded every day. To survive the competition, you need to identify the best Instagram video length and optimize the video for maximum reach.
Now, Instagram allows you to post different types of video content. Each type of content has a specific aspect ratio and maximum length. In this article, we will delve into the different kinds of video content that you can create and discuss their ideal duration.
Instagram Feed Post
Feed Posts are the most original form of Instagram content and require the video to have an aspect ratio of 4:5. The maximum duration of a feed video is 60 seconds. If your video is longer than that, the tool will have you select the 60-second frame that you wish to post. Alternatively, if you have a longer video, you can break it down into multiple smaller clips of 60 seconds each. You can then post it as carousel posts where Instagram allows you to have up to 10 videos in a post. That way, your viewers can swipe on the post to view the sequential clip.
While posting a video in your Instagram feed, you need to understand that the video will be visible for a long time. When a potential customer checks out your Instagram feed, the video will help them form the first impression. You should take special efforts to ensure that such a video is loaded with valuable content and reflects the brand’s overall theme.
Instagram Story Video
Instagram stories are available for 24 hours from their posting and should be an aspect ratio of 9:16. Instagram mandates that story posts should be for a maximum of 15 seconds. If your story is longer, the tool automatically slices it into smaller video content of 15 seconds each. The only catch here is the fact the video is cut into only four parts allowing you to post a minute-long video.
If you need to upload longer videos, you can cut the video clip in your camera roll and upload individual 15-second stories. Since Instagram has no restrictions on the number of stories that you can post, you can use this technique to get a greater number of views on your promotional videos. As Instagram stories are available only for a day, they cause FOMO in people and get you better views.
Instagram gives you a lot of creative freedom while uploading stories, and you can add relevant stickers and GIFs to make them visually appealing. Stories can help you give your viewers a peek into your life, and the use of polls and questions allows better customer engagement.
IGTV Videos
If you want to post long-form of video content on Instagram, you need to leverage IGTV. Here, you can post videos that are up to 10 minutes long. If you have a verified Instagram account, the IGTV tool will allow you to upload hour-long videos from the desktop app. In IGTV, the viewers are shown a 15-second preview of your video. If they enjoy the content and tap on the ‘Keep Watching’ option, they will be shown the full video.
IGTV allows you to post videos in the aspect ratio of 9:16 and 16:9. To make the most of your IGTV videos, front load the content. That way, after watching the first 10 seconds of the video, the viewer will feel curious to know more. Using a branded IGTV cover and adding captions to your video are some effective ways of getting people to watch the video.
Unlike other forms of Instagram video content, IGTV allows you to add titles to your videos. You can make the most of it by identifying keywords that are relevant to your video and adding those to the title. Optimist the hashtag and caption to improve the reach of your videos. To make navigation easier for your audience, you can add timestamps to your video.
Instagram Live Videos
In recent days, Instagram has increased the time duration of live videos to 4 hours. This presents ample opportunities for brands to connect with their audience and establish a personal connection. Live Videos should have an aspect ratio of 9:16.
To ensure that interested people tune in to your live session, use Instagram stories to give your audience a peek into the topics that you will cover in the live session. The story can have a countdown to the live session. You can upload your Instagram live timings on your posts on other platforms to maximize the reach.
Instagram Reel Videos
Reels are the latest addition to Instagram’s video family and allow you to post 30-second videos in a 9:16 aspect ratio. Reels allow you to use slo-mo, lapse, and several other features to capture fun videos. You can use the timer feature of the Instagram Reels and shoot different parts of the video in different locations.
Instagram Reels also allow you to use pre-recorded videos and edit them to apply filters or music. You can also use this tool to combine clips from different pre-recorded videos and edit them into a reel. The only catch of this tool is that you cannot combine videos into anything longer than half a minute.
Instagram Reels allow you the luxury of experimenting with different types of content. You can create reels where you share tips on your product usage and maintenance. Tutorial videos where you break down complex topics and present them to your audience are also popular. Try to brainstorm your target audience’s common pain points and conceptualize reels where you offer solutions.
While video content already dominates the world of social media, the trend is expected to take a steeper accent in the years to come. This provides brands with an excellent opportunity to present information in a form that people are likely to enjoy.
Ideally, your Instagram video marketing efforts should have a mix of all the different video types listed above. That way, you will take a holistic approach and add something of value to the social media lives of your followers. As you begin your journey of exploring what works for your Instagram marketing campaign, we hope that the information on the ideal lengths of different kinds of video content was useful to you.