Tips for Short-Form, Vertical Videos on Instagram and Facebook Reels and YouTube Shorts

Short-form video content is here to stay. Here's how to include short-form, vertical videos in your content strategy.

in Trends

The rise of short-form, vertical video cannot be ignored. TikTok has forced the other social media giants to adjust the type of content that appears on their users’ feeds… and it is overwhelming short-form, vertical videos. Just like TikTok.

Facebook, Instagram and YouTube are taking cues from the success of TikTok and creating spaces for short-form video in their own ecosystems. Let’s take a closer look creating short-form, vertical videos for Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels and YouTube Shorts.

Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are short-form, vertical videos that can be up to 90 seconds long. Reels are prime opportunities to generate organic reach and impressions. Further, Instagram has not kept it a secret that they are leaning hard into Reels.

Screenshot of Instagram Reel that shows student walking on campus with text: When you're on campus over summer break.

According to Later, the Reels algorithm likes Reels that:

  • Have vertical dimensions with an aspect ratio of 9:16 and sized 1080 x 1920 pixels
  • Use music/sounds from Instagram’s music library and/or original audio you create or find on Reels
  • Use creative tools like text, filters or camera effects
  • Have high engagement (comments, likes, shares, saves and watch time)

On the flip side, the Reels algorithm does not like Reels that:

  • Are blurry due to low resolution
  • Contain logos or watermarks from other apps. Recycling a video with the TikTok logo and audio is a big no-no.
  • Have the majority of the image covered by the text
  • Are uploaded with a border around them
  • Violate Instagram’s Community Guidelines

Things to keep in mind when creating Reels:

  • Have fun! Entertaining Reels grab attention and delight people with humor or a surprise twist/reveal.
  • Use on-screen text and captions. Unlike TikTok, the majority of video on Facebook/Instagram is watched without sound, so add on-screen text and subtitles.
  • Use trends as inspiration
  • Drive traffic to your website by encouraging viewers to head to your link in bio
  • Find your niche and post consistently
  • Include 3-5 hashtags to help the Instagram algorithm understand your content and serve it to relevant audiences (#college, #CollegeLife, etc.)
  • Unlike TikTok, create more aesthetically-pleasing Reels
  • Share Reels to your Instagram Story. In the Story, cover the Reel with a gif or sticker to encourage viewers to click through to the video for the reveal.

Go deeper into learning how to create and optimize Reels via Later’s Instagram Reels in 2022: The Ultimate Guide.

Facebook Reels

I know, I know. Facebook Reels is a thing? Yes, yes, it is. The tactical approach to creating Facebook Reels is largely the same as Instagram Reels. The difference to keep in mind is your audience. Trending audio or styles on Instagram may not appeal to your Facebook audience. In that case, it would be worth creating Reels that specifically draw in your Facebook audience.

The first 4-10 Reels that you publish may not generate the organic reach and impressions you’re hoping for but stick with it. Facebook’s algorithm should pick up that you are feeding it Reels content which is what it is hungry for.

Screenshot of Facebook Reel of aerial footage of flower gardens with text that says: Show me a beautiful view.

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts are short-form, vertical videos that can be up to 60 seconds long and are primarily viewed within the YouTube app on mobile devices. Shorts tap into YouTube’s already-massive user base with reliable engagement.

Screenshot of YouTube Short that shows the word Rams painted on street with text: The new look of Ram Walk at Colorado State University

Things to know when creating YouTube Shorts:

  • YouTube has an extensive music library.
  • Focus on making the first few seconds captivating to draw viewers in.
  • Loop your video as a way to increase watch time.
  • A scheduling tool is available to help creators schedule the timing of their Shorts going live.
  • The option to “unlist” Shorts means anyone can view it with a link but it doesn’t appear publicly on a channel.
  • Can apply filters and enhance the video’s lighting during and after recording. Creators can also replace their video’s background without investing in an actual green screen.
  • Individual clips can be trimmed using the YouTube Shorts editor. This, paired with the align tool, lets creators achieve smooth transitions between clips.

We’re already adjusting our content strategy at CSU Social and producing short-form, vertical videos and have been encouraged about their performance. Watch some recent creations including our best-performing Instagram Reel to date featuring the university’s Trial Garden, a Facebook Reel featuring a trending audio track for Colorado Day, and a YouTube Short from the NoCo Pride celebration.

How are you integrating short-form, vertical videos in your content strategy?