The video-craft encyclopedia.

8–25 minute videos optimized for retention and watch-time. The platform's most profitable shape.

Vertical 9:16 video under 60 seconds. YouTube's answer to TikTok.

Vertical short-form (15s–10min). Algorithm-driven, sound-on, captions-on.

Long-form interview shot with multiple cameras. YouTube's breakout format of the last 5 years.

How-to video, usually 3–15 minutes. SEO gold.

15s, 30s, or 60s ad. Hardest second of video to write in any format.

60–180 second video that teaches one concept. Common B2B asset.

Vertical short-form on Instagram. Cross-posted from TikTok 85% of the time.

Up to 60 seconds, displays inline on the grid. Lost relevance to Reels.

Vertical, 15s/segment, 24-hour expiry. Most casual surface.

First-person handheld documentary of someone's day or week.

Argument-driven analytical video. The intellectual's YouTube genre.

Non-fiction film, 5–40 minutes. Festival circuit, branded brand-doc work.

Non-fiction film, 60+ minutes. Streaming acquisition target.

Platform-native paid creative. Hook in 1 second or lose the click.

Promotional video for a product, event, or service. The catch-all commercial format.

Long-form expert-led teaching, multi-episode. The Masterclass.com format made it a noun.

Lecture-style segment in an LMS. 6–15 minutes is the retention sweet spot.

60–150 second cut promoting a longer piece. Modern trailers spoil too much.

15–45 second hint. Less reveal, more atmosphere.

Visual companion to a song. Industry standard 3–5 minutes.

Animated typography sync'd to a song. Cheap to make, drives streams.

Documentary footage of a production. Used as marketing or DVD/streaming extras.

Influencer opens a product on camera. Reaches buying-intent audiences directly.