Advertisers and marketers the world over are increasingly using video to showcase their brands to target markets. A recent survey suggests that advertisers now spend 50% more than they did two years ago, and other recent statistics show that 81% of businesses now use video as a marketing medium.
The future of marketing, it seems, lies in targeting the millions of people who watch video footage. To make the best of this medium, however, it is essential that you use the correct technical specs to ensure that you achieve a clear and professional finish.
Getting your head around all of the video specs is no easy task, as each social media platform has its own specs, and some have several. Specifications also change from time to time.
To help make the task easier we have gathered the recommended specifications for each of the formats available on the social media platforms.
Facebook has one of the furthest reaches of all the social media platforms. It also has a wide variety of video formats each with a different set of specs for advertising. This can get very confusing.
The format that you choose will depend on whether your video will appear in a sidebar, on a smartphone or in a message. According to Facebook, all videos should be uploaded in .MP4 or .MOV format. For a professional finish, it is essential that you find and apply the correct specifications to your video.
Facebook Newsfeed Video Specs
When it comes to newsfeed video marketers have a choice of landscape or square.
- Recommended dimensions – 1280 x 720 with a minimum 600 x 315 landscape and 600 x 600 square
- File size limit and length – 4GB or 120 minutes
- Aspect ratio – Landscape 16:9, vertical 2:3 or 4:5, square 1:1 and full portrait 9:16.
360 Video Specs
360 or immersive videos are videos taken from every angle. According to a study conducted recently, 360 videos increase the intention to purchase by 7%.
- Recommended dimensions – 4096 x 2048
- File size limit and length – 1.75GB or 40 minutes
- Aspect ratio – 2:1.
Collection Video
As the name suggests this format is great for showcasing a number of products as it consists of a video with several images beneath it. It allows users to purchase goods without leaving the Facebook feed.
- Recommended dimensions – 1200 x 628
- File size limit or length – 4GB or 120 minutes
- Aspect ratio – 16:9 for landscape and 1:1 for square.
Carousel Video
Carousel posts allow marketers to present several advertisements in video or image form. Showcase up to 10 of your products on a single advertisement all at once.
- Recommended dimensions – 1080 x 1080 with a minimum of 600 x 315 for landscape and 600 x 600 for square
- File size limit or length – 2.3GB or 30 seconds or 90 seconds for continuous looping
- Aspect ratio – 1:1 square and 1.9:1 landscape.
Canvas Video
One of the newest advertising video forms available from Facebook, Canvas video ads are designed for mobile devices. It allows users to find more content by swiping left, right or down. It offers a new video experience.
- Recommended dimensions – 1200 x 628 with a minimum of 315 x 600 for landscape and 600 x 600 for square
- File size limit or length – 4GB or 120 minutes, although 2 minutes is the recommended maximum length
- Aspect ratio – 16:9 for landscape and 1:1 for square.
Slideshow Video
Slideshow videos are available in a choice of landscape and portrait. With sideshows you can show between 3 and 10 images in video format
- Recommended dimensions – 1200 x 720
- File size limit or length – 4GB or 120 minutes
- Aspect ratio – 16:9 for landscape and 9:16 unless it includes a link in which case the aspect ratio is also 16:9.
Facebook Stories
Stories are ephemeral posts or features, available for just 24 hours.
- Recommended dimensions – minimum 5000 x 500
- File size limit and length – 4GB or 15 seconds
- Aspect ratio – 1.91 to 9:16.
Facebook Messenger
Using Messenger, you can post videos of up to 4GB and lasting up to 120 minutes. Below are some additional specifications.
- Recommended dimensions – 1280 x 720
- Aspect ratio – 16:9 to 1.91:1.
For more information and recommendations on obtaining the best Facebook video results consult the Facebook video guide.
Instagram Video Specs
Instagram also offers users a choice of videos. You can post videos of up to 4GB in all of the video formats. While most of the formats can run for 60 seconds, Stories videos must not exceed 15 seconds.
In-Feed Video
In-feed videos come in three formats – landscape, square and vertical. It is recommended that you upload your videos in .MP4 or .MOV format.
Landscape
- Recommended dimensions – 600 x 315
- Aspect ratio – 1:1.91.
Square
- Recommended dimensions – 600 x 600
- Aspect ratio – 1:1.
Vertical
- Recommended dimensions – 600 x 750
- Aspect ratio – 4:5.
Carousel Video
Marketers can use this feature to promote a range of products. The format allows placement of up to 10 images or videos on the carousel.
- Recommended dimensions – 600 x 600 or 1080 x 1080
- Aspect ratio – 1:1.
Instagram Stories
As with Facebook these posts or ads are ephemeral and may not exceed 15 seconds
- Recommended dimensions – 1080 x 1920. Minimum of 600 x 1067
- Aspect ratio – 16:9 up to 4:5 or 9:16.
Instagram TV
If you’re looking for something both longer and longer lasting then this may be the format for you. There are no paid ads on Instagram TV but this is a great way to create brand awareness.
- Recommended dimensions – 1080 x 920
- Aspect ratio – 9:16
- Format – MP4
- Length – 15 seconds to 10 minutes with some exceptions.
- File size limit – 650MB for videos that don’t exceed 10 minutes.
Twitter has limited its video offering to two types, portrait, and landscape. The maximum file dimensions that you can upload for either is 512MB and the video may be no longer than 140 seconds. The file format should be .MP4 or .MOV.
Horizontal Videos
- Recommended dimensions – 1280 x 1024. Minimum 32 x 32, max 1920 x 1200
- Aspect ratios – Between 1:2.39 and 2.39:1.
Vertical Videos
- Recommended dimensions – 1200 x 1900. Minimum 32 x 32
- Aspect ratios – Between 1:2.39 and 2.39:1.
The Twitter Help Center is a useful resource for those wanting to learn more about video posts.
YouTube
YouTube videos can be uploaded in a wide range of formats including 3GPP, AWMV, AVI, MOV, MPEG4, MP4, MPEGPS, FLV, or WebM. Video ads for YouTube fall into the following categories, Display Ads or Midroll, Bumper, Skippable or Non-skippable ads.
Whichever type you choose the specs are the same:
- Dimensions – Choose any dimensions between 426 x 240 and 3840 x 2160
- Aspect ratios – 16.9
- File Size Limit – 128GB
- Maximum length – 12 hours
- Skippable Ads – can be skipped after 5 secs
- Non-skippable ads – depending where they’re shown, may not exceed 15, 20 or 30 seconds
- Bumper ads – max 6 seconds
- Mid-roll ads – minimum length 30 seconds.
Find out more about YouTube file formats.
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There are just two video formats available on Pinterest. The maximum dimensions on both are 2 GB and the maximum length is 30 minutes. Pinterest offers marketers some great tips for making the best of the promoted video feature.
Specs for Vertical Video
- Recommended dimensions – 600 x 900
- Aspect ratios – 9:16.
Specs for Square Video
- Recommended dimensions – 600 x 600
- Aspect ratios – 1:1.
LinkedIn is the advertising channel of choice for marketers targeting business and professional people. A wide range of video formats is supported including ASF, .AVI, .FLV, .MOV, .MPEG-1, .MPEG-4, .MKV, and .WebM. Below are the recommended specifications.
- Recommended dimensions – Maximum 4096 x 2304 minimum 256 x 144
- Aspect ratios – 1:2:4 to 2:4:1
- File size limit – 5GB
- Maximum length – 10 minutes.
Snapchat
https://businesshelp.snapchat.com/en-US/article/snap-ads-practices
If you’re targeting the younger generation then Snapchat may be the advertising route that you have chosen. Here are the specifications for Snapchat video.
- Dimensions – 1080 x 1920
- Aspect ratio –16 or 16.9
- File size limit – 1GB
- Minimum length – 15 seconds – no maximum
10 second videos that are not advertisements should be 1080 x 920 and the aspect ratio should be 9.16. Still need help? Snapchat provides some tips here.
Get Started
So now you know the technical specs for posting video on social media, it’s time to get creative. Starting posting video content and advertisements today to truly engage your target audience.
