"Reels and Short Video: How Should They Be Used for Your Brand?"

Short video is now the dominant format on social media. In 2026, an Instagram account whose Reels aren't watched is suppressed by the algorithm. But just producing reels isn't enough; it has to be in the right format and the right tone for the brand.

01. Duration: 7-15 Seconds Is Optimal

If you lose the viewer in the first 3 seconds, the algorithm drops the video. The critical message should be placed in the first seconds. The ideal duration is 7-15 seconds for brand content; for educational content it can go up to 30-60 seconds.

02. Format Types

Formats often used for a brand:

• Behind the scenes (production, team diary)
• Quick tip / useful information
• Product-use demonstration
• Customer reference (short)
• Comparison / before-after
• Trend adaptation (carefully — those aligned with the brand tone)

03. Technical Criteria

The 9:16 vertical format is mandatory. 1080×1920 resolution. Captions are a must (80% of users watch with sound off). A readable font and contrast for text. A "hook" in the first second (a stopping visual or line).

04. Cross-Post Strategy

Spreading the same reel to Instagram + Facebook + TikTok + YouTube Shorts is efficient. But each platform has its own algorithm behavior; publishing separately with a light adaptation (cover image, description text) produces better performance.