How long should a social media video be?

Q: How long should a social media video be?

Video length depends on platform and purpose — short for discovery, longer for depth. How to find your sweet spot.

December 16, 2025 1 min read

Marcus Lindqvist

Marcus writes about social media strategy for small businesses. He covers how businesses use social, which networks fit, and what works in promotion.

Answer

It depends on the platform and the point. Short-form (roughly 15 to 60 seconds) suits reach and discovery on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts; longer video suits how-to and depth on YouTube. Whatever the length, hook viewers fast and keep it as tight as the idea allows.

Watch completion and retention in analytics to find your sweet spot — compare analytics tools.