Why Content Creators Need to Focus on Vertical Videos in 2025

1. Natural-Viewing Format

Let’s start with human behavior. When you want to record something, you pull out your phone. How do you hold your phone: sideways or vertically? If you hold your phone upright, you’re already following a growing trend.

In fact, 90% of smartphone users say portrait video provides a better experience. But why? It is more accessible for users, as they are no longer rotating their screens or adjusting their viewing angle. 

Moreover, portrait mode takes up more screen space on mobile devices compared to horizontal content. This extra space isn’t just aesthetic but an excellent opportunity for you, as it invites instant engagement and directs full attention to your content.

2. Algorithm-Friendly

Most social media platforms now favour short-form videos, which are typically displayed in vertical mode. TikTok started it, Instagram perfected it, and now YouTube, Facebook, and even LinkedIn are following the same video trend. 

Every major algorithm today rewards vertical visuals because it’s native to the mobile feed. When you post in this format, you’re not just following the trend but speaking the platform’s visual language. 

According to data insights, vertical framed videos drive up to four times more engagement on Facebook and perform 2.5 times better on X (formerly Twitter). These results show that portrait-format media is becoming a must-have for social media marketing.

3. Engagement and Real-Time Interaction

Vertical-format media does more than capture attention. It keeps it alive. It often achieves significantly higher completion rates compared to horizontal videos. This means viewers are more likely to watch till the end. 

The UX details of portrait videos also make a difference. The like, comment, and share buttons sit comfortably within thumb’s reach in vertical layouts. That tiny ergonomic design shift makes interaction second nature. Viewers can tap, respond, and share without breaking the viewing flow.

The payoff? This built-in ease encourages higher engagement rates and stronger creator communities, which ultimately lead to faster monetization opportunities.

4. Emotional Resonance

How do you FaceTime with your loved ones? Most of the time, it’s in vertical mode. That’s why this format feels personal. Creators speak directly into the camera in a handheld, portrait-style frame and create the same sense of intimacy as a FaceTime call or private chat. 

Now you are psychologically close to your viewers. You are not just performing. You are creating a connection. Audiences don’t feel like passive viewers. They feel like part of the dialogue. So, if it’s a product demo or a behind-the-scenes moment, vertical storytelling becomes a shared human experience.

5. Content Flexibility

Here’s the creator’s secret sauce: vertical format video isn’t just the preferred format for social media. It’s for multi-purpose. You can shoot one clip and repurpose it everywhere: TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Snapchat Spotlight, and more.

One video multiplies your visibility and helps you maintain a consistent brand presence everywhere your audience scrolls. So you work smarter, not harder. One video leads to infinite reach.

6. Rapid Conversion

The vertical video aspect ratio covers the full-screen view. This means fewer distractions and more emotional focus. This is the perfect environment for subtle selling. A viewer watching a live unboxing, tutorial, or demo in portrait mode is already one tap away from clicking through or purchasing.

In fact, 78% of consumers express they’d like to learn about products or services via short videos (mostly available in vertical mode). This shows that this format is crucial for modern marketing needs.

Pair vertical formats with live shopping, and your sales pipeline becomes instant. When your product occupies the full screen, call-to-actions feel organic. You can also integrate “Shop Now” buttons, product tags, or website links directly within your portrait-format content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Shorts. It turns viewer interest into immediate action.

7. Vertical Video Trend in Multiple Domains

The vertical video strategy works for every niche. For instance, an educator can use it for bite-sized lessons, or real estate agents can use it for virtual tours that turn listings into experiences. Nonprofit organisations can use it to tell stories that inspire empathy and donations. This flexibility makes vertical media an ideal tool for content creators in any industry.

Duolingo uses short, vertical skits on TikTok to make language learning entertaining. Zillow posts home walkthroughs on Instagram Reels that help buyers experience properties remotely. Meanwhile, UNICEF and WWF share emotional vertical stories that highlight global issues and inspire community action.