We’ve all been there.
Scrolling through your phone, one thumb swiping away, and—bam!—a video grabs your attention, filling your screen perfectly.
No turning the phone sideways, no awkward ugly black bars.
That’s the magic of vertical videos.
With more than 80% of internet traffic coming from mobile devices, it’s no surprise that vertical videos are dominating the scene.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts have made this format the star of modern marketing.
But here’s the kicker: vertical videos aren’t just trendy—they’re strategic.
If you’re a marketer or business looking to maximize reach, engagement, and conversions, be it through your social media content or explainer videos in general, understanding the power of vertical videos is non-negotiable. Let’s dive in!
What are Vertical Videos?
So what is a vertical video, you ask? It’s pretty straightforward– it refers to their orientation.
Vertical videos are videos designed to be taller than they are wide, typically with an aspect ratio of 9:16. explainer video production
They’re optimized for mobile viewing, matching the natural way we hold our phones.
Think of Instagram Stories, Snapchat, or TikTok videos. All these formats rely on vertical videos to deliver content seamlessly, without requiring viewers to rotate their screens.
Why Do Vertical Videos Matter?
You probably have noticed by now that almost everyone uses their phones upright. Studies show that 94% of smartphone users prefer holding their phones vertically.
And among the younger crowd, 70% of Millennials would rather not flip their phones when watching horizontal videos on their phones.
You would imagine that it’s not such a big deal for people to turn their phones sideways to watch the video, and then back to vertical again to resume scrolling.
But in reality, this annoys consumers enough that they’d rather skip the video entirely than do this. explainer video agency
So by adapting to this natural behavior, vertical videos make it easier for viewers to consume content—and easier content means better engagement, and that means better reach with your target audience.
Read more...