The Optimum Length of Video Content for Businesses
Chris Chart
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
How Long Should Business Videos Be? Strategic Advice Backed by Data
Introduction: Why Video Length Really Matters
Video is no longer optional – it's a core component of modern marketing and business communication. A striking 89% of marketers use video, and 95% say it’s crucial to their strategy. But how long should your video be? One minute? Five? Thirty?
Unfortunately, there’s no catch-all answer. The ideal length depends on your audience, your platform, and what you’re trying to achieve. A snappy Instagram Reel and a detailed product demo serve different purposes. This post unpacks recent research and real-world data to help you find the right length for the right job.
Whether you’re creating a corporate video in Manchester or building a content plan from scratch, these findings will help you build a more effective video strategy.
Matching Video Length to Purpose and Platform
1. Brand Awareness & Social Media (15–60 seconds)
Perfect for:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Stories
LinkedIn Sponsored Content
Why: People scroll fast. Grab attention immediately. LinkedIn data shows videos under 30 seconds get higher completion rates. Wistia reports 66% of viewers finish sub-60-second videos.
Tip: Hook them in the first 3–5 seconds.
2. Explainers & Educational Videos (1–5 minutes)
Ideal for:
Product overviews
How-to content
Case studies
Why: Viewers are more willing to engage when learning something valuable. Videos in the 1–5 minute range average 46–50% completion rates.
Tip: Deliver value early. Don’t bury the lead.
3. Demos, Webinars, and Lead Nurturing (5–30 minutes)
Use when:
You need depth and commitment
Your audience is already interested
Why: Wistia shows videos in this range still deliver strong conversion rates (~10%). Engagement will drop off, but those who stay are often serious leads.
Tip: Break longer content into sections or use chapter markers.
4. Internal Comms & Training (30+ minutes, chunked)
Works well for:
Employee onboarding
Compliance training
Conference content
Why: Motivated viewers will stick around – but it’s still smart to divide content into 5–10 minute modules to maintain engagement.
Tip: Modular content increases retention.
Platform Considerations: Norms & Expectations
Instagram/TikTok: 15–30 seconds is king. Short, punchy, engaging.
Facebook: Newsfeed – 1–3 minutes; Facebook Watch – 3+ minutes.
LinkedIn: Stick to under 1 minute for feed posts. Long-form is okay for deep dives – if it’s valuable.
YouTube: Flexibility reigns. Educational and entertainment content can run 5–15 minutes or longer.
Website Homepage: Keep under 2 minutes. You want impact without making users click away.
What the Data Tells Us
66% of viewers finish videos under 1 minute
50% finish videos 2–10 minutes long
22% make it to the end of videos 20+ minutes long
Biggest drop-off happens in the first 10 seconds. Up to 33% of viewers are gone by 30 seconds if the content doesn’t grab them.
Tip: Start with a bang. Your first impression matters.
Attention Span Myths – Busted
Contrary to popular belief, long-form content isn’t dead. In fact:
TikTok now allows up to 10-minute videos
YouTube outperforms Netflix on smart TVs
People binge-watch hours of content daily
Key Insight: Attention isn’t shrinking – it’s selective. Audiences will commit time to content that provides value.
Best Practices for Choosing Video Length
Define your goal. Awareness? Conversion? Training?
Consider your viewer’s mindset. Are they browsing or researching?
Hook them early. Capture interest in seconds.
Stick to one message. Simplicity improves retention.
Break long content into parts. Easier to digest.
Match the platform. Know what works where.
Use analytics. Let real data shape future decisions.
Trim ruthlessly. Make every second earn its place.
Final Thoughts: Strategic Length Wins Every Time
There’s no perfect length. What matters is creating content that fits your objective and respects your viewer’s time. If it’s worth watching, your audience will stay – whether it’s 30 seconds or 10 minutes long.
When in doubt, think like your viewer. Would you watch your own video to the end? If yes, you're on the right track.
If you need help crafting video that delivers, our Manchester-based team specialises in Video Strategy, Corporate Video, and Marketing Videos that work – at every length.
Introduction: Why Video Length Really Matters
Video is no longer optional – it's a core component of modern marketing and business communication. A striking 89% of marketers use video, and 95% say it’s crucial to their strategy. But how long should your video be? One minute? Five? Thirty?
Unfortunately, there’s no catch-all answer. The ideal length depends on your audience, your platform, and what you’re trying to achieve. A snappy Instagram Reel and a detailed product demo serve different purposes. This post unpacks recent research and real-world data to help you find the right length for the right job.
Whether you’re creating a corporate video in Manchester or building a content plan from scratch, these findings will help you build a more effective video strategy.
Matching Video Length to Purpose and Platform
1. Brand Awareness & Social Media (15–60 seconds)
Perfect for:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Stories
LinkedIn Sponsored Content
Why: People scroll fast. Grab attention immediately. LinkedIn data shows videos under 30 seconds get higher completion rates. Wistia reports 66% of viewers finish sub-60-second videos.
Tip: Hook them in the first 3–5 seconds.
2. Explainers & Educational Videos (1–5 minutes)
Ideal for:
Product overviews
How-to content
Case studies
Why: Viewers are more willing to engage when learning something valuable. Videos in the 1–5 minute range average 46–50% completion rates.
Tip: Deliver value early. Don’t bury the lead.
3. Demos, Webinars, and Lead Nurturing (5–30 minutes)
Use when:
You need depth and commitment
Your audience is already interested
Why: Wistia shows videos in this range still deliver strong conversion rates (~10%). Engagement will drop off, but those who stay are often serious leads.
Tip: Break longer content into sections or use chapter markers.
4. Internal Comms & Training (30+ minutes, chunked)
Works well for:
Employee onboarding
Compliance training
Conference content
Why: Motivated viewers will stick around – but it’s still smart to divide content into 5–10 minute modules to maintain engagement.
Tip: Modular content increases retention.
Platform Considerations: Norms & Expectations
Instagram/TikTok: 15–30 seconds is king. Short, punchy, engaging.
Facebook: Newsfeed – 1–3 minutes; Facebook Watch – 3+ minutes.
LinkedIn: Stick to under 1 minute for feed posts. Long-form is okay for deep dives – if it’s valuable.
YouTube: Flexibility reigns. Educational and entertainment content can run 5–15 minutes or longer.
Website Homepage: Keep under 2 minutes. You want impact without making users click away.
What the Data Tells Us
66% of viewers finish videos under 1 minute
50% finish videos 2–10 minutes long
22% make it to the end of videos 20+ minutes long
Biggest drop-off happens in the first 10 seconds. Up to 33% of viewers are gone by 30 seconds if the content doesn’t grab them.
Tip: Start with a bang. Your first impression matters.
Attention Span Myths – Busted
Contrary to popular belief, long-form content isn’t dead. In fact:
TikTok now allows up to 10-minute videos
YouTube outperforms Netflix on smart TVs
People binge-watch hours of content daily
Key Insight: Attention isn’t shrinking – it’s selective. Audiences will commit time to content that provides value.
Best Practices for Choosing Video Length
Define your goal. Awareness? Conversion? Training?
Consider your viewer’s mindset. Are they browsing or researching?
Hook them early. Capture interest in seconds.
Stick to one message. Simplicity improves retention.
Break long content into parts. Easier to digest.
Match the platform. Know what works where.
Use analytics. Let real data shape future decisions.
Trim ruthlessly. Make every second earn its place.
Final Thoughts: Strategic Length Wins Every Time
There’s no perfect length. What matters is creating content that fits your objective and respects your viewer’s time. If it’s worth watching, your audience will stay – whether it’s 30 seconds or 10 minutes long.
When in doubt, think like your viewer. Would you watch your own video to the end? If yes, you're on the right track.
If you need help crafting video that delivers, our Manchester-based team specialises in Video Strategy, Corporate Video, and Marketing Videos that work – at every length.
Introduction: Why Video Length Really Matters
Video is no longer optional – it's a core component of modern marketing and business communication. A striking 89% of marketers use video, and 95% say it’s crucial to their strategy. But how long should your video be? One minute? Five? Thirty?
Unfortunately, there’s no catch-all answer. The ideal length depends on your audience, your platform, and what you’re trying to achieve. A snappy Instagram Reel and a detailed product demo serve different purposes. This post unpacks recent research and real-world data to help you find the right length for the right job.
Whether you’re creating a corporate video in Manchester or building a content plan from scratch, these findings will help you build a more effective video strategy.
Matching Video Length to Purpose and Platform
1. Brand Awareness & Social Media (15–60 seconds)
Perfect for:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Stories
LinkedIn Sponsored Content
Why: People scroll fast. Grab attention immediately. LinkedIn data shows videos under 30 seconds get higher completion rates. Wistia reports 66% of viewers finish sub-60-second videos.
Tip: Hook them in the first 3–5 seconds.
2. Explainers & Educational Videos (1–5 minutes)
Ideal for:
Product overviews
How-to content
Case studies
Why: Viewers are more willing to engage when learning something valuable. Videos in the 1–5 minute range average 46–50% completion rates.
Tip: Deliver value early. Don’t bury the lead.
3. Demos, Webinars, and Lead Nurturing (5–30 minutes)
Use when:
You need depth and commitment
Your audience is already interested
Why: Wistia shows videos in this range still deliver strong conversion rates (~10%). Engagement will drop off, but those who stay are often serious leads.
Tip: Break longer content into sections or use chapter markers.
4. Internal Comms & Training (30+ minutes, chunked)
Works well for:
Employee onboarding
Compliance training
Conference content
Why: Motivated viewers will stick around – but it’s still smart to divide content into 5–10 minute modules to maintain engagement.
Tip: Modular content increases retention.
Platform Considerations: Norms & Expectations
Instagram/TikTok: 15–30 seconds is king. Short, punchy, engaging.
Facebook: Newsfeed – 1–3 minutes; Facebook Watch – 3+ minutes.
LinkedIn: Stick to under 1 minute for feed posts. Long-form is okay for deep dives – if it’s valuable.
YouTube: Flexibility reigns. Educational and entertainment content can run 5–15 minutes or longer.
Website Homepage: Keep under 2 minutes. You want impact without making users click away.
What the Data Tells Us
66% of viewers finish videos under 1 minute
50% finish videos 2–10 minutes long
22% make it to the end of videos 20+ minutes long
Biggest drop-off happens in the first 10 seconds. Up to 33% of viewers are gone by 30 seconds if the content doesn’t grab them.
Tip: Start with a bang. Your first impression matters.
Attention Span Myths – Busted
Contrary to popular belief, long-form content isn’t dead. In fact:
TikTok now allows up to 10-minute videos
YouTube outperforms Netflix on smart TVs
People binge-watch hours of content daily
Key Insight: Attention isn’t shrinking – it’s selective. Audiences will commit time to content that provides value.
Best Practices for Choosing Video Length
Define your goal. Awareness? Conversion? Training?
Consider your viewer’s mindset. Are they browsing or researching?
Hook them early. Capture interest in seconds.
Stick to one message. Simplicity improves retention.
Break long content into parts. Easier to digest.
Match the platform. Know what works where.
Use analytics. Let real data shape future decisions.
Trim ruthlessly. Make every second earn its place.
Final Thoughts: Strategic Length Wins Every Time
There’s no perfect length. What matters is creating content that fits your objective and respects your viewer’s time. If it’s worth watching, your audience will stay – whether it’s 30 seconds or 10 minutes long.
When in doubt, think like your viewer. Would you watch your own video to the end? If yes, you're on the right track.
If you need help crafting video that delivers, our Manchester-based team specialises in Video Strategy, Corporate Video, and Marketing Videos that work – at every length.
Introduction: Why Video Length Really Matters
Video is no longer optional – it's a core component of modern marketing and business communication. A striking 89% of marketers use video, and 95% say it’s crucial to their strategy. But how long should your video be? One minute? Five? Thirty?
Unfortunately, there’s no catch-all answer. The ideal length depends on your audience, your platform, and what you’re trying to achieve. A snappy Instagram Reel and a detailed product demo serve different purposes. This post unpacks recent research and real-world data to help you find the right length for the right job.
Whether you’re creating a corporate video in Manchester or building a content plan from scratch, these findings will help you build a more effective video strategy.
Matching Video Length to Purpose and Platform
1. Brand Awareness & Social Media (15–60 seconds)
Perfect for:
Instagram, TikTok, Facebook Stories
LinkedIn Sponsored Content
Why: People scroll fast. Grab attention immediately. LinkedIn data shows videos under 30 seconds get higher completion rates. Wistia reports 66% of viewers finish sub-60-second videos.
Tip: Hook them in the first 3–5 seconds.
2. Explainers & Educational Videos (1–5 minutes)
Ideal for:
Product overviews
How-to content
Case studies
Why: Viewers are more willing to engage when learning something valuable. Videos in the 1–5 minute range average 46–50% completion rates.
Tip: Deliver value early. Don’t bury the lead.
3. Demos, Webinars, and Lead Nurturing (5–30 minutes)
Use when:
You need depth and commitment
Your audience is already interested
Why: Wistia shows videos in this range still deliver strong conversion rates (~10%). Engagement will drop off, but those who stay are often serious leads.
Tip: Break longer content into sections or use chapter markers.
4. Internal Comms & Training (30+ minutes, chunked)
Works well for:
Employee onboarding
Compliance training
Conference content
Why: Motivated viewers will stick around – but it’s still smart to divide content into 5–10 minute modules to maintain engagement.
Tip: Modular content increases retention.
Platform Considerations: Norms & Expectations
Instagram/TikTok: 15–30 seconds is king. Short, punchy, engaging.
Facebook: Newsfeed – 1–3 minutes; Facebook Watch – 3+ minutes.
LinkedIn: Stick to under 1 minute for feed posts. Long-form is okay for deep dives – if it’s valuable.
YouTube: Flexibility reigns. Educational and entertainment content can run 5–15 minutes or longer.
Website Homepage: Keep under 2 minutes. You want impact without making users click away.
What the Data Tells Us
66% of viewers finish videos under 1 minute
50% finish videos 2–10 minutes long
22% make it to the end of videos 20+ minutes long
Biggest drop-off happens in the first 10 seconds. Up to 33% of viewers are gone by 30 seconds if the content doesn’t grab them.
Tip: Start with a bang. Your first impression matters.
Attention Span Myths – Busted
Contrary to popular belief, long-form content isn’t dead. In fact:
TikTok now allows up to 10-minute videos
YouTube outperforms Netflix on smart TVs
People binge-watch hours of content daily
Key Insight: Attention isn’t shrinking – it’s selective. Audiences will commit time to content that provides value.
Best Practices for Choosing Video Length
Define your goal. Awareness? Conversion? Training?
Consider your viewer’s mindset. Are they browsing or researching?
Hook them early. Capture interest in seconds.
Stick to one message. Simplicity improves retention.
Break long content into parts. Easier to digest.
Match the platform. Know what works where.
Use analytics. Let real data shape future decisions.
Trim ruthlessly. Make every second earn its place.
Final Thoughts: Strategic Length Wins Every Time
There’s no perfect length. What matters is creating content that fits your objective and respects your viewer’s time. If it’s worth watching, your audience will stay – whether it’s 30 seconds or 10 minutes long.
When in doubt, think like your viewer. Would you watch your own video to the end? If yes, you're on the right track.
If you need help crafting video that delivers, our Manchester-based team specialises in Video Strategy, Corporate Video, and Marketing Videos that work – at every length.
Interested in discussing video content for your business?
Drop us a message below and we'll get in touch to arrange a chat.
