Why Short Form Videos Get 2.5x More Engagement [And How to Make Them Without Skills]

Short-form videos are everywhere in 2025, and these quick, vertical clips under 60–90 seconds are dominating platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

The numbers prove it, as studies show that more than 20% of marketers say short-form videos deliver the highest ROI in 2025, making them the most effective content format.

The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or editing skills.

A smartphone and quick edits are enough, though many turn to AI marketing agencies to stay ahead of trends.

This guide breaks down what short-form videos are, why they matter so much in 2025, and how you can start creating them with ease.

Let’s dive in!

What is a short-form video?

Short-form video is exactly what it sounds like: quick clips made for fast, easy viewing. Think anywhere from 15 seconds to about 2 minutes.

Platforms set their own limits, so TikTok and Instagram Reels push videos up to 60–90 seconds. 

YouTube Shorts and Snapchat Spotlight lean closer to 60 seconds, and Stories on Instagram and Facebook are often 10–20 seconds.

The format is almost always vertical (9:16), since over 69% of people now watch videos on their phones.

Short-form videos share a few traits that make them so effective:

• Mobile-first: Vertical, fast-paced, and built for scrolling on the go.

• Silent-friendly: Over 80% of social videos are watched without sound, so captions and on-screen text do the heavy lifting.

• Hook-driven: The first 2–3 seconds matter most. Strong visuals, bold text, or motion instantly grab attention.

• Authentic: Viewers prefer content that feels real and unpolished over heavily produced clips.

Short-form video statistics that show why it matters in 2025

Short-form video is dominating, with 82% of global internet traffic expected to be video, and most of it will be short clips.

People are hooked, as on average, viewers now spend over an hour a day watching short-form videos.

1. Usage benchmarks

The audience numbers are staggering:

• TikTok has passed 1.5 billion monthly users.

• Instagram Reels tops 2 billion accounts, with 200 billion daily views across Instagram and Facebook.

• YouTube Shorts draws 2 billion users and 70 billion views every day.

• Even Facebook Reels reaches 617 million people monthly.

2. Growth benchmarks

Adoption is accelerating fast:

• TikTok users rack up 4.8 billion daily viewing minutes, now higher than Instagram.

• Over half of TikTok users engage with brands daily.

• Reels accounts for half of all Instagram usage.

3. ROI benchmarks

Marketers are seeing results:

• 21% of marketers say short-form video gives them the highest ROI of any content type.

• Brands using video marketing grow about 49% faster than those relying only on static content.

• 73% of consumers prefer short videos when learning about a product or service.

Short-form vs. Long-form video

Both short-form and long-form videos have a role in your marketing strategy.

The difference comes down to goals, metrics, cost, and how each format connects with your audience.

Why use short-form video in marketing

Marketers have plenty of reasons to put short videos at the center of their strategy.

Here are the big ones:

1. Fast reach and discovery

Short-form videos are built for virality. Platforms like TikTok and Reels push new clips hard, giving even small creators a chance to go big.

Because of that push, a single 15-second video can rack up millions of views overnight, something static posts rarely achieve.

As mentioned above, 73% of consumers say they would rather watch a short video to learn about a product.

Taken together, these factors make short clips one of the most effective tools for brand awareness and top-of-funnel reach.

2. Social proof and trust

Beyond reach, short-form video also excels at building trust.

Quick testimonials, unboxings, or influencer shoutouts feel authentic and easy to share.

Even a simple 30-second tutorial can act like a mini-review, and viewers are far more likely to watch that than scroll through written feedback.

When you encourage fans to tag your brand or duet your content, you amplify that effect, creating a steady stream of social proof that prospective buyers see and trust.

3. Conversions and sales paths

Short-form isn’t only about awareness, as it can directly drive sales as well.

Many platforms now let you tag products in Reels or TikToks so viewers can buy without leaving the app.

For example, on YouTube and Facebook, clickable CTAs and end screens make the path to purchase just as seamless.

The results speak for themselves, as vertical video generates 130% higher engagement than horizontal formats, which translates into stronger click-through rates and better conversions.

4. Retention and community

Finally, short videos are powerful for retention. Posting consistently keeps your audience engaged and encourages them to come back.

Much like a mini-series, regular clips build anticipation for the next tip, challenge, or story.

And it doesn’t always have to be polished. Even casual behind-the-scenes clips help humanize your brand and invite comments.

Over time, that consistency transforms one-off viewers into a loyal community.

How to use AI in your short-form videos

AI can make short-form video creation faster, easier, and more polished, even if you’re new to it.

Here are some practical ways to put it to work:

1. Research and concept generation

🧠 Why it’s important:

Coming up with fresh ideas is often the hardest part of creating short videos. AI can scan trends and generate hooks, so you’re never stuck staring at a blank page.

✅ Key benefits:

• Generates outlines, hooks, and full scripts with timing suggestions.

• Helps marketers test multiple concepts quickly.

• Speeds up brainstorming sessions.

🔧 How to act on it:

Prompt AI with a topic like “3 quick video tips on email marketing” and get ready-to-film outlines in seconds.

2. Scriptwriting and storyboarding

🧠 Why it’s important:

Short-form video thrives on brevity, so a script must be sharp and concise.

✅ Key benefits:

• Refines scripts to fit 30–60 seconds in length.

• Breaks content into storyboard frames.

• Suggests camera angles or shot lists.

🔧 How to act on it:

Use AI to draft a 30-second script, then let it generate a storyboard with suggested shots to guide filming.

3. Captions, translation, and localization

🧠 Why it’s important:

Over 80% of social videos are viewed without sound. Captions boost accessibility and engagement.

✅ Key benefits:

• Auto-captions in seconds.

• Translates subtitles into multiple languages.

• Creates AI voiceovers for localized delivery.

🔧 How to act on it:

Upload your script and let AI add captions, translate them, or generate a voiceover for different audiences.

4. Editing and templates

🧠 Why it’s important:

Editing is time-consuming, but AI accelerates the process with automation.

✅ Key benefits:

• Automatically trims and selects the best footage.

• Resizes for TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube in one click.

• Provides pre-built templates with titles and motion graphics.

🔧 How to act on it:

Drop clips into an AI editor, pick a “social ad” or “how-to” template, and let AI create polished results instantly.

5. Voiceover, music, and sound design

🧠 Why it’s important:

The right sound transforms a simple video into an engaging one.

✅ Key benefits:

• Generates royalty-free music to avoid copyright issues.

• Creates professional voiceovers from text.

• The sound design matches the mood and pacing.

🔧 How to act on it:

Type your script, choose an AI voice, and add AI-generated music that matches your brand tone.

6. Creative testing and insights

🧠 Why it’s important:

Not every video performs equally, and testing is key to growth.

✅ Key benefits:

• Predicts which version may perform best.

• Highlights top-performing intros or visuals.

• Supports fast A/B testing at scale.

🔧 How to act on it:

Test two variations of your opening scene and let AI analytics show which one drives more engagement.

7. Brand safety and compliance

🧠 Why it’s important:

Copyright, accessibility, and disclosure rules can’t be ignored. AI helps you stay compliant.

✅ Key benefits:

• Detects copyrighted music or images.

• Reminds you to include “#ad” in paid promotions.

• Flags accessibility issues like poor text contrast.

🔧 How to act on it:

Run your video through an AI compliance checker before publishing to catch risks automatically.

Short-form video content best practices

To maximize results, keep these best practices in mind:

• Define your goal and audience: Start every video with a clear purpose. Decide if you’re driving awareness, leads, or engagement, and tailor content to a specific audience segment.

• Choose the right platform and format: Adapt videos to the platform’s style and limits. Always film vertically (9:16) for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts, and use built-in effects when possible.

• Hook viewers in the first two seconds: Open with a bold visual, striking text, or a question. Strong hooks stop the scroll and keep viewers watching until the end.

• Script for brevity and clarity: Keep sentences short and pacing energetic. Cut anything unnecessary so your main message shines in 30–60 seconds.

• Design for silent viewing: Add captions or on-screen text, since most viewers watch without sound. Use large, high-contrast fonts so the video works on mute.

• Add branding and clear CTAs: Place your logo or handle subtly on screen. End with a strong call-to-action like “Follow for more tips” or “Shop the link in bio.”

• Optimize visuals for mobile: Shoot vertically, use bright lighting, and keep subjects centered. Add smooth movement or quick cuts to maintain energy.

• Plan cadence and series: Post consistently (3–5 clips per week) and use recurring themes like “Tip Tuesday” or “Behind-the-Scenes Friday” to build a routine.

• Encourage engagement: Prompt comments with questions, create sharable content like checklists or tutorials, and make clips shareable.

• Track results and iterate: Use analytics and UTM links to measure performance. Test variations of intros, thumbnails, and captions, then refine quickly.

• Repurpose long-form content: Clip highlights from webinars, livestreams, or podcasts into short teasers to save time and expand reach.

• Collaborate with others: Work with influencers, feature employees, or invite your audience to create content inspired by your brand. Collaboration builds authenticity and trust.

Meet Solara AI: The first autonomous AI marketing agency

Most AI marketing agencies still feel like tools, as they need constant prompts, guidance, and daily check-ins.

Solara AI is different, as it acts like a full-service marketing agency that thinks, creates, and optimizes on its own.

Business owners don’t need to be technical or spend hours managing campaigns.

Instead, Solara handles everything end-to-end, while learning your brand voice and improving over time.

Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Thinks and acts like a real team: Researches your audience, plans campaigns, and adjusts strategy without waiting for instructions.

• Content that converts: Automatically creates avatar videos, UGC-style clips, and full commercials up to one minute long, with no prompts required.

• Smart campaign management: Runs ads, reallocates budgets, and improves ROI by tracking real-time performance.

• Two modes of control: Choose Autopilot for hands-off execution or Co-pilot if you want to approve changes first.

• Affordable agency experience: Replaces a $2,500+ per month human agency with an always-on AI team that never slows down.

The result is a true marketing partner that doesn’t just follow instructions but actively works for your growth, day after day.

Want to know why short-form videos get 2.5x more engagement without needing pro editing skills?

Try Solara today and see how AI-driven video creation delivers results on autopilot.