Short videos: The evolution of video content into bite-sized clips

• Author:
• Author name

  Quantumrun Foresight”
• April 5, 2022

Insight summary

The rise of fifteen-second videos, or short-form videos, has reshaped the way content is consumed and created, offering unique and engaging ways for individuals to express themselves. This trend has far-reaching implications, affecting everything from individual psychology and corporate marketing strategies to government communication and educational methodologies. The potential long-term impacts include changes in advertising, increased opportunities for solo entrepreneurs, and shifts in educational practices.

Short video context

Fifteen-second videos (now categorized and referred to as short-form video) have become increasingly popular with content creators on social media and content creation platforms, with users leveraging the video’s short length to express themselves in unique and engaging ways. The history of short videos can be traced back to a video posted on YouTube in 2007. The 56-second long video was titled “Charlie bit my finger.”

Since this video was uploaded, short videos have become an integral part of the social media landscape, with platforms like TikTok built solely on the idea of creating and sharing short videos. Instagram later developed a tool to film and upload short-form videos through its Reels feature. And YouTube entered the market with the introduction of YouTube Shorts, with the first short-form video uploaded on the platform titled “Me at the zoo.” 

A “shorts” section was added to YouTube’s app to allow creators to upload short videos and for users to watch algorithm-curated shorts based on their preferences. YouTube Shorts, similar to other social video apps, are typically built to be 15-seconds long and support the production of video reactions, video comments, and interactions with creators, just like with long-form videos on YouTube. 

Disruptive impact

While concerns about the psychological effects on users, particularly regarding attention span, are valid, the complexity of the human brain makes it difficult to definitively link short videos to a decrease in attention span. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the trend's influence on how people consume information cannot be ignored. For individuals, the shift towards brief, engaging content may lead to a preference for quick information, potentially affecting how they interact with more complex subjects.

On the corporate side, the popularity of short videos, as evidenced by the billions of views on platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts, has created a new avenue for marketing and engagement. Companies may need to adapt their strategies to include short-form content, recognizing that it's not a replacement for long-form videos but a complementary tool. This trend offers opportunities for businesses to reach a broader audience, but it also presents challenges in maintaining quality and substance within a limited timeframe. 

For governments and educational institutions, the rise of short-form videos presents both opportunities and challenges. They can utilize this format to disseminate information quickly and engage with younger demographics. However, they may need to be mindful of the potential for misinformation or oversimplification of complex topics. Educators, in particular, may need to find ways to integrate short videos into learning without compromising depth and critical thinking. 

Implications of short videos

Wider implications of short videos may include: 

• Solo entrepreneurs and businesses reaching wider audiences with simple-to-create shorts, leading to positively influenced revenue growth and a more diverse marketplace where even small creators can thrive.


• Simplified, creative, and highly interactive engagement with fans and consumers for brands willing to engage in this content form, fostering a more personalized and responsive relationship between companies and their customers.


• Increased competition in the technology industry with new platforms and apps introducing novel video production features, leading to simplified and diversified video creation possibilities for the general public and a more vibrant technological landscape.


• A shift in advertising strategies towards short-form content, leading to a more dynamic and engaging advertising industry that responds to consumer preferences for concise and visually appealing messages.


• Changes in educational methodologies to include short videos, leading to more engaging and accessible learning experiences but also posing challenges in ensuring depth and critical thinking in educational content.


• Governments utilizing short-form videos for public communication and awareness campaigns, leading to more immediate and widespread dissemination of information but also requiring careful consideration of content accuracy and complexity.


• A potential shift in labor market skills, with a growing demand for professionals adept at creating concise and engaging visual content.


• Environmental considerations in the increased production and consumption of digital content, leading to higher energy consumption and electronic waste, which may require new regulations and sustainable practices in the technology industry.


• The potential for short videos to become tools for political engagement and activism, leading to more immediate and widespread mobilization but also posing risks of misinformation and oversimplification of complex political issues.

Questions to consider

• Why do you think short videos appeal to certain demographics?


• As a consumer of video content, how do you consume long-form videos vs short-form content?