The ways in which the average user consumes content changes over time. For proof of this, look no further than the advent of short-form video content. With such content taking little time to view yet providing value to the user in question, this type of content is nothing short of prevalent online. In fact, it’s seen as the number one driver of lead engagement and generation. Thus, it should come as no surprise that content marketing agencies recommend short-form video for clients that can benefit from it. With that said, it’s important to know which options will suit clients’ needs best. With this in mind, take a look at the top short-form video platforms in digital marketing.

Top Short-Form Video Platforms

Vine

Having been discontinued since 2017, Vine is nonetheless one of the most influential short-form video platforms. It helped propel the trend of bite-sized content that can be viewed and digested in little to no time at all. Furthermore, it made the act of recording and editing content for public consumption relatively simple for the user. However, many factors led to Vine’s eventual discontinuation. These include, but aren’t limited to, the inability to properly monetize itself and struggles against competitors such as Snapchat and Instagram. Nonetheless, Vine remains an interesting piece of Internet history.

TikTok

Often regarded as the spiritual successor to Vine, though being in existence prior to the former platform’s discontinuation, TikTok is the name most people think of when discussing short-form video platforms. Known as Douyin in China, TikTok is not only a platform for viewing videos but creating content to be shared with others. This is made possible largely due to TikTok’s suite of editing features that includes speed altering, filters, and the addition of questions & answers, just to name a few. Not only is TikTok arguably the biggest name in the short-form content sphere but its popularity as a website in general can’t be ignored, meaning that it’s likely here to stay.

YouTube Shorts

With YouTube being the biggest video-sharing platform in the world today, its entry in the world of short-form content should have come as a no-brainer. Enter YouTube Shorts, which was released globally in July 2021. Not unlike TikTok, YouTube Shorts prioritizes short-form video, allowing users to customize their content with captions, licensed music, and other features. However, there are aspects that YouTube Shorts boasts that TikTok cannot, including the use of a dislike button. Additionally, whereas TikTok content can be stretched to 3 minutes, YouTube Shorts are only allowed to be recorded up to 60 seconds.

Instagram Reels

Introduced in August 2020, Instagram Reels is an extension of the larger Instagram platform that amassed incredible popularity in recent years. With Reels, Instagram users can record 15-second multi-clip videos that can be customized with a variety of tools. This content can be made available to followers, but with a public account, said content can be shared with others via the Explore space. Much like TikTok and other competitors, Reels makes content creation easy, allowing users to use custom audio and Instagram’s own music, in addition to AR effects and other tools. Keep this in mind if you’re planning on expanding your Instagram marketing efforts.

Triller

Perhaps the least known name on this list, Triller can best be described as TikTok but for the music industry. Released in July 2015, Triller saw a surge in popularity during 2020, even being endorsed by such names as Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and Snoop Dogg. Furthermore, any business owner looking to maximize Triller may be surprised to learn that monetization is, in concept, easier than other platforms due to less competition. Keep in mind, though, that this is easily the most niche of the short-form video platforms, so determine whether this will be worth your long-term investment.

How to Market Using Short-Form Video

With these platforms in mind, you may wish to know how to use them for digital marketing efforts. If your business lacks an in-house marketing team, it’s recommended that you speak to a professional. Business owners in Long Island or the larger New York area may wish to consult a reputable NY Internet marketing company experienced in all matters of content. They will make recommendations to help you select the best short-form video platforms before crafting and promoting your content, expanding your digital reach and allowing you to generate more leads over time.

About fishbat: fishbat is a full-service Long Island marketing agency that takes a holistic business approach to their clients’ digital marketing programs. The fishbat team understands the importance of business principles just as well as the nuances of the latest digital technologies. fishbat offers every digital marketing service available from digital marketing research and planning to brand development to website and asset creation through social media management and search engine optimization programs – all custom calibrated for both B2B and B2C businesses.