Dynamic Content Optimisation and Dimensions for Social Media: Ideal Content Length by Platform!

In today’s fast-paced digital world, understanding the optimal content length for various platforms is essential for boosting engagement and reach. Each social media platform has its own audience and habits, so tailoring content to suit these preferences can greatly enhance success. Here’s a summary of the most optimal content lengths for SEO purposes for the most popular platforms, along with our opinion on each.

Instagram

Reels:

Entertainment: Aim for 11 to 17 seconds for quick, engaging clips.

Our opinion: Short and entertaining Reels are perfect for capturing attention and encouraging shares, making them ideal for viral content.

Educational: Target 38 to 51 seconds for informative content.

Our opinion: This duration allows for the provision of valuable insights without losing viewer interest, making education engaging and effective.

Carousels: Use 7 to 10 slides, with a strong hook on slides 1 and 2.

Our opinion: Carousels are excellent for storytelling or providing step-by-step guides. A captivating hook on the first two slides is crucial to draw viewers in and keep them swiping.

Ideal image for Instagram posts and stories

The ideal image size for Instagram posts is 1080 x 1080 pixels to maintain quality and fit well within the platform’s layout.
The image dimensions for social media stories should be 1080 x 1920 pixels to ensure full-screen display.

Short-form videos: Aim for 40 to 46 seconds to quickly grab attention.

Our opinion: Short videos on LinkedIn are an excellent way to engage viewers swiftly. This brief format encourages creativity and ensures every second is impactful.

Long-form videos: Target 3 to 4 minutes for more in-depth storytelling.

Our opinion: Longer videos allow brands to delve deeper into their values and showcase their personality effectively.

Motivational text: Keep it concise with 20 to 38 words short, punchy messages are most effective.

Our opinion: Motivational quotes can resonate well on LinkedIn, especially when paired with compelling visuals.

Educational text: For informative posts, aim for 291 words to provide substantial value without overwhelming the reader.

Our opinion: LinkedIn’s professional audience appreciates educational content that is well-presented, such as infographics or insightful articles.

YouTube

Entertaining shorts: Aim for 28 to 33 seconds for quick, engaging content.

Our opinion: YouTube Shorts are a fantastic way to reach new viewers and utilise YouTube’s large audience with bite-sized entertainment.

Educational shorts: A duration of 41 to 57 seconds is good for quick insights.

Our opinion: These shorts are excellent for delivering valuable information quickly and establishing authority in their field.

Long-form videos: Target around 7 minutes and 9 seconds for in-depth content.

Our opinion: Longer videos allow for thorough storytelling and detailed explanations, making them powerful for engagement and education.

TikTok

Entertaining videos: Keep videos 18 to 31 seconds long for fun and engaging clips.

Our opinion: TikTok thrives on creativity and authenticity. Short, entertaining videos can go viral, giving brands great exposure.

Educational videos: A length of 42 to 54 seconds is good for sharing insights.

Our opinion: Educational content can be entertaining on TikTok, using trends to make learning enjoyable.

X (formerly Twitter)

Motivational posts: Keep it concise with 14 to 21 words to inspire followers.

Our opinion: Twitter’s character limit encourages short, impactful messages, making it a good platform for quick motivation.

Entertaining tweets: A length of 9 to 35 words works well for light, engaging content.

Our opinion: Humour is key on Twitter; entertaining content can lead to high engagement and shares.

Educational tweets: Aim for 173 words for useful information while keeping it brief.

Our opinion: Threaded tweets are effective for education, allowing a deeper look into topics while remaining accessible.

Facebook

Although Facebook is still popular, it often struggles with poor reach, regardless of content length.

Our opinion: Despite its challenges, Facebook can still be a good platform for building community and targeted advertising. Brands should focus on creating a loyal audience rather than merely relying on organic reach.

Conclusion

Understanding the ideal content length for each platform can significantly enhance social media strategy. By tailoring content to fit these guidelines, brands can boost engagement and reach in their digital marketing efforts. As social media evolves, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices will help brands stay ahead. To further optimise performance, consider referring to a social media sizing guide to determine the best size for social media images and implement dynamic content optimisation techniques for maximum impact. Additionally, understanding the dimensions for social media content and focusing on content optimisation can streamline the creation process and improve overall effectiveness.