Online platform statistics revealed that YouTube is the biggest social media site for millennials in terms of entertainment and information. And as the users’ video consumption increases, more sites are adapting to the trend, including Instagram. What used to be a chatting and image-sharing platform now contains videos and even shopping features. No wonder Instagram is second on the list of biggest social media networks. But have you ever wondered, “what is the best size for Instagram video?”
When Instagram started, all we could see were images and messaging features. But when its users grew to billions over the years, more entertaining features were introduced. Some users would even say, “why would I watch long videos on YouTube when I can watch shorter videos on Instagram?” Some of the platform’s video features are in-feed posts, stories, reels, live videos, IGTV, and carousel posts.
With this variety, there’s no need for audiences to switch from one social media platform to another. You can watch full-length YouTube videos through IGTV, enjoy TikTok content through reels, and connect your Facebook stories to your Instagram stories. You see, Instagram has it all. But how do you make your content stand out on this vast platform? What is the aspect ratio for Instagram video? This handy guide will give you all the answers.
Why Does Instagram Video Size Matter?
What comes into your mind when you hear the word “Instagram video file size?” Maybe you’re thinking of MBs and GBs. But in this context, Instagram video size 2020 refers to the dimension and aspect ratio of your content. Like YouTube and other social media platforms, Instagram requires different specs for each video that you upload.
These requirements ensure that your videos are high-quality and professional-looking. If you’ve been marketing on Instagram for a long time now, you’ll know that Instagrammers are picky. They’re used to seeing creative and appealing content on the platform. And when your videos aren’t showing the same quality or standard, you’re likely to lose views in seconds.
Hence, you should know the different Instagram video sizes and specs before you start making one. Even the most popular influencers can lose followers if they aren’t uploading high-quality videos. After all, it’s about sticking to Instagram’s algorithms to gain the best possible results.
When Did Videos Become a Trend?
As mentioned above, YouTube is the teens’ favorite social platform. But have you wondered when did videos become a thing on social media? Ever since YouTube dominated the social platform in 2005, other sites were exploring ways to incorporate videos on their features.
Facebook introduced its Live feature, Instagram opened various ways to upload video content on its site, and even TikTok emerged into a video-sharing platform. Moreover, most kids would want to be YouTubers or TikTokers when they grow up. And not only do millennials enjoy videos on social media, but even baby boomers are also hopping into the trend.
Another indicator that video marketing has become popular is the launch of in-SERP video ads. Google is now testing video incorporation into its search results. The e-Commerce industry is also adapting to the change, offering video demonstrations on their official websites. These demos allow consumers to know the products better, increasing the chances of purchases.
Different Instagram Video Types and Specs
As discussed in the introduction, there are 6 types of Instagram video features. While looking at the different video types, we’ll also study the ideal resolution, aspect ratio, format, length, and content ideas for each video.
In-Feed Videos
As the name suggests, in-feed videos are the ones that you see on a user’s feed. Video posts are the first video features that Instagram introduced, and they can be square, horizontal, or vertical in format.
The maximum length for an in-feed video is 60 seconds. It should have a frame rate of 30 FPS (frames per second) and a maximum file size of 4GB. Furthermore, here are the specific aspect ratios and resolutions for video posts:
- Square: 2:2 or 3:3 aspect ratios (min. of 600 x 600 pixels and max. of 1080 x 1080 pixels)
- Portrait or Vertical: 9:16 aspect ratio (min. of 600 x 750 pixels and max. of 1080 x 1350 pixels)
- Landscape or Horizontal: 16:9 aspect ratio (min. of 600 x 315 pixels and max. of 1080 x 608 pixels)
In-feed videos can also be promotional or sponsored. If you want to amplify your promotional content on Instagram, read this Assembly review.
Stories
Instagram stories are quick updates about a user’s activity. It can be someone drinking milk tea, a panoramic view of a place, or some fancy boomerangs. Each story slide is limited to 15 seconds only and lasts for 24 hours. Just recently, Instagram allowed its users to keep their stories through Highlights. You can also revisit your stories from a certain date through the Archive tab.
Maybe you’re wondering: can I post 1920x 080 to Instagram? The answer is a huge yes! The maximum resolution for IG video stories is 1080 x 1920, with an aspect ratio of 9:16. Meanwhile, the minimum resolution is 600 x 1067. Instagram stories were introduced in 2016 and it was dubbed a Snapchat clone. Like Snapchat, you can use various filters, include stickers, add location, and insert captions on your IG video stories.
Stories are a great way to get more personal with your audience and encourage engagement. You may also post teasers, product peeks, and highlight your seasonal offers. Most importantly, you can share your new post on your IG story so viewers can easily click on it, instead of scrolling on their timeline.
Reels
If stories are a Snapchat clone, Instagram reels are perceived as a clone of TikTok. This newest feature is fun, interactive, and mostly contains dance videos. However, reels aren’t available to all countries yet. But it will surely be a big hit when all Instagrammers can access this feature.
Reels can be seen along with the posts, tags, and IGTV tabs. You may also directly upload them to your posts section. Like TikTok, reels can be 15 or 30 seconds long. The ideal aspect ratio is 9:16, with a 1080 px by 1920 px Instagram video size. You can add effects, audio, and other creative tools to your reel.
Since reels are uploaded as an in-feed video, captions can be seen at the bottom of the post. Hence, make sure that your video doesn’t include important details at the bottom part, or viewers won’t be able to read them.
IGTV
We’ve already discovered the IG features that are similar to TikTok and Snapchat. Now, we introduce Instagram TV — a great YouTube alternative. IGTV allows its users to post videos that are longer than 60 seconds. You may even upload 60-minute video content from the web with a standard file size of 3.6GB. If you’re uploading from mobile, the maximum length is 15 minutes with a 650MB file size.
Like in-feed videos, you may upload vertical (9:16) or horizontal (16:9) videos on IGTV. The ideal resolution is still 1080 px by 1920 px. The best part? You can watch IGTV videos on a full-frame by clicking the “square” symbol at the bottom right part of your screen.
IGTV is best for make-up tutorials, how-to videos, cooking demonstrations, and workout sessions. To make your Instagram video marketing more effective, you may create reels as a teaser to your full IGTV video or share your content on your story. Ensure also that your video isn’t dull and boring, or viewers won’t take the time to watch it. Make your IGTV content as engaging as possible even if it’s longer than the usual Instagram videos.
Live Videos
Instagram Live is an effective way to connect with your audience in real-time. This feature can be found on your IG story, right at the bottom part. Before you go live, make sure that you’ve configured the settings and created a title for your video. Instagram allows its users to go live for up to four hours, which is helpful to fitness instructors, business coaches, and school teachers.
When you go live, you can see real-time comments and reactions from your audiences. It’s like a virtual jam or bonding with your followers. The best part is that Instagram automatically notifies your active followers and engagers whenever you go live. After streaming on Instagram, you can save your live videos and upload them later on your IGTV. This is beneficial to audiences who missed your live streaming.
Unlike IGTV, live videos are meant to be shot vertically with a 9:16 aspect ratio. It’s because this feature is designed to be broadcast from your mobile phone. Also, you don’t need to worry about the resolution or file size because IG live is obviously a raw coverage. Just make sure you have a good device, audible space, and a decent background.
Carousel Videos
When you upload multiple videos in one post, you get to create carousel videos. Users can feature up to 10 videos or photos (or a combination of both) in one carousel post. Like in-feed posts, the maximum length for each video slide is 60 seconds. This feature is useful for short clips or product presentations.
The format for carousel videos can be square, vertical, or horizontal. However, the photos and videos that you include in your post will be cropped according to the aspect ratio of the first photo or video that you’ve selected. You may wonder, “how do you fit a whole video on Instagram carousel posts?” There are video resizer tools that you can use which we’ll tackle in the next section.
5 Best Instagram Video Editing Tools
As much as we enhance our images, we must also edit our videos. The goal isn’t to trick your audience or falsely advertise your product, but to make sure that your videos are appealing and worth viewing. Here are the 5 best Instagram video editing tools that you can use:
Adobe Premiere
Most professional videographers use Adobe Premiere to edit their videos. With this software, you can perform color grading, audio editing, framing, and other video editing processes. You may also add subtitles and additional slides or remove unnecessary objects on the video. Adobe Premiere may require a paid subscription for optimal use, but its free features are already useful for your Instagram video marketing.
Magisto
This app is available on Android, iOS, and the web. Magisto offers easy-to-use templates and automates the editing process for hassle-free creation. You simply need to choose your video editing style, select the videos you’ll include, and pick your music from the software’s built-in music library. If you’re looking for an intuitive and beginner-friendly Instagram video editing tool, Magisto is one of the best options.
Wondershare Filmora
Filmora is another basic editing software that offers great outputs. With just a few drag and drop, you can finish your Instagram video in minutes. You may also select presets, incorporate transitions, and select themes for your video. Generally, Filmora is a user-friendly app that offers professional and Instagram-worthy video effects.
Animaker
Remember the dilemma on the carousel video dimensions? Animaker is the best solution. This app is made for editing social media videos. You can easily resize your video content for various social networks without compromising the original quality. Animaker allows its users to trim, merge, rotate, filter, or flip their videos. You can also mute, adjust the speed, and change the dimensions of your video to fit on Instagram posts.
Gen.video
Unlike the other video editing tools mentioned above, Gen.video is a one-stop marketing solution. It doesn’t only offer video content production but also influencer marketing and e-commerce analytics. Read this Gen.video review to know more about this software.
Jump on the Bandwagon Now
It doesn’t matter what generation you’re in or what products you’re trying to sell. The trend revolves mainly around videos, and you can’t be behind if you want to stand out. Your industry may be all on Instagram now, but knowing the platform’s basic requirements and algorithms will give you an edge over your competitors.
If you’ve already read an article about Instagram video size in 2020, then this will serve as extended knowledge for you. But if you’re still new to Instagram video marketing, make sure to apply the guidelines when uploading your first video content. Everyone has a creative side, and this guide is but spice to your already brilliant mind.
Read our article, “Creative Instagram Post Ideas to Boost Your Brand” to get started with IG marketing.
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