The Rise of Short-Form and Vertical Videos | The Future of Brand Video Production in 2025

The ever-changing world of digital marketing means video content formats are ever-changing, which is causing brands to change and move fast. As of May 2025, two trends are dominating the industries, as brands are seeing a surge in short form vertical videos, and there is an increased demand for authenticity versus perfection.

This article presents an in-depth analysis of both trends backed by data and offers useful insights for marketers, content creators and business leaders who are looking to evolve their strategy to keep up with future initiatives.

The Dominance of Short-Form and Vertical Videos

Short-form videos—generally speaking, under 90 seconds—are a key way to tell a story. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have introduced a new element of audience engagement, perhaps for better or worse, and have allowed brands incredible reach in a mobile-first world.

Updated Data and Research (May 2025)

User Engagement Statistics:

Instagram Reels users spend an average of 53 minutes per session, surpassing users of TikTok (averaging 45 minutes) and Snapchat Spotlight (average of 30 minutes).

YouTube Shorts records over 70 billion views a day. TikTok is expected to have 1.6 billion monthly users by 2025.

Advertising spending growth:

Global advertising spending on short-form video format will reach $111 billion in 2025 for an annual increase of 12%.

Conversion Rates:

Short-form video ads have a conversion rate 34% higher than traditional ads, and 65% of consumers made a purchase after viewing a short-form video ad.

Mobile-First Consumption:

75% of users consume short-form video content on mobile devices only, indicating that vertical video will be a priority.

Key Takeaways for Brands

To take advantage of this trend, brands should:

Make Mobile and Vertical a Priority: A vertical mobile-first strategy is a necessity by 2025.

Customize Content by Platform: Knowing nuances for each platform, like TikTok’s emphasis on trend or Instagram Reels presence, equips brands to drive engagement.

Consider Short-Form Ad Campaigns: Brands looking to drive action can see increased conversion rates and engagement by investing in short-form advertisements.

At Unplug Infinity Media Pvt. Ltd, we develop high-impact short-form videos to excite your audience and can leverage these trends to make your brand's narrative stronger across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Authenticity Over Perfection | The New Brand Imperative

In a world where audiences crave transparency, authenticity has emerged as a key differentiator for brands. Consumers increasingly value content that feels genuine and relatable, favoring brands that tell real stories over those with high-budget, polished productions.

The Authenticity Advantage

  • User-Generated Content (UGC):
    • 58% of consumers believe UGC is more authentic than brand-created content.
    • 79% of consumers say UGC significantly influences their purchasing decisions.
  • CEO Engagement:
    • A 52% increase in CEOs sharing informal, unscripted videos on LinkedIn reflects the shift toward humanizing brands.
  • Influencer Partnerships:
    • 63.8% of brands plan to collaborate with influencers, leveraging their authenticity to build trust.

How Brands Can Embrace Authenticity

  • Utilize Lo-Fi: Stories, un-edited clips, unpolished visuals—everything's lo-fi. People love it.
  • Invite participation: Polls, clickable links, comment-driven conversations will convert viewers from passive to engaged.
  • Think story not sale: Share people's stories that intersect with your brand values, and will have a positive impact.

At Unplug Infinity Media Pvt. Ltd., we know authentic storytelling is the best way to build a connection. We help brands create video content that's real, authentic, and connected to the human aspect of your business—whether it be a casual CEO message, a behind-the-scenes look, or a campaign told through people's actual stories.

What This Means for Brands in 2025

The future of brand video production is clear:

  • Short-form, mobile-optimized videos are essential for capturing attention in a crowded digital space.
  • Authentic, relatable storytelling fosters trust and drives action.
  • Brands that adapt to these trends—like Essey Marketing, Video Production Company +4, SpacePepper Studios, and Unplug Infinity Media Pvt. Ltd.—are setting the gold standard for effective video marketing in 2025.

Ready to Elevate Your Brand? Let’s Get Started!

At Unplug Infinity Media Pvt. Ltd., we don’t just follow trends—we help brands lead them. Whether you’re looking to create high-impact short-form videos for TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube, or you want to tell your brand’s story with authenticity and heart, we’re here to make it happen.

📩 Contact us today to discuss how we can bring your vision to life and make your brand shine in the ever-evolving world of video marketing.

Your audience is waiting. Let’s create something extraordinary together.