Do-It-Yourself
The easy square video editor
Create social-media friendly videos in minutes. Use Animoto to transform your photos or video clips into high-quality content that's just the right fit for social platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
Get more views with square video
Square videos take up 78% more space than horizontal ones in newsfeeds. And with more than 50% of internet users on mobile devices, that extra space really counts. Animoto gives you a one-stop shop for video editing and social media posting, letting you to choose your aspect ratio and start creating in minutes.
Make your own square video
Get started easily with storyboard templates
Why square video works
Square takes up more space in the feed
When you're posting on social, you're fighting for space. And square videos, which take up 78% more space in newsfeeds, give you an extra edge. Even big brands have noticed and are creating square videos to get more elbow room on Instagram and Facebook.
You create an authentic feel
Many people still think of smartphone videos when they see a square aspect ratio. This can work to your advantage as an advertiser, since viewers will see your video as another social media post instead of content from a brand that's trying to push sales.
Your video will look better on mobile
About 90% of Facebook users check their accounts on mobile devices. The number's even higher for Instagram. And square videos get your message across—without forcing viewers to flip their phones around to see what you have to say.
Tips for creating successful square videos
Hook your audience right away
Your audience gives your video 3-5 seconds before deciding whether or not to move on in their newsfeed. Start your video strong with an interesting fact, a stunning photo, or compelling footage to keep viewers watching.
Include a clear call to action
Users scroll quickly through their social feeds, so it's critical that your calls to action are clear and get noticed right away. Share the action you want viewers to take early on and come back to it again at the end to remind them what you want them to do.
Shoot for square
If you're taking your own photos or video clips, remember to keep your images a bit more centered to make sure your visuals don't get cut off. Don't have your own photos or video clips? Try searching for square photos and footage in our library of Getty Images stock.
Maximizing social reach
Find your platform
Go where you audience lives. No matter how amazing your square video is, it won't have much of an impact if your target customer isn't around to see it. Square videos can be effective on just about any social media platform, but it's up to you to determine your best location for audience reach.
Try a/b testing
Successful campaigns aren't created overnight. Test different interests, targeting, sales copy, and calls to action in any social ad campaign or organic post. Since Animoto makes the video production process quick and painless, you can crank out multiple square videos and start testing them in minutes.
Optimize for sound-off viewing
Mobile audiences often watch videos on mute. Get your projects ready for sound-off viewers by adding clear text that supports your images and footage. The combination will make sure your audience understands your video, even if they can't hear it.
10tests
60video variations
70%increase in engagement
Success Story
See how square video increased views by 40% over landscape
"Since using Animoto to create square videos for social media, we’ve seen an increase in views of over 100% and engagement increase of nearly 70%."
Brian PetersDigital Strategist
It's never been easier
How to make a square video with Animoto
Choose a template
Start creating with ease using a professional video template. Explore our extensive library filled with hundreds of eye-catching templates, featuring photos, text, music, animations, and more. Any template can be resized to square with a single click.
Upload your media
Share your story by uploading your photos and video clips and dragging them to create a one-of-a-kind video. Use our built-in screen and webcam recorder to fill in any gaps, or enhance your project with media from our Getty Images stock library.
Personalize your video
Personalize your video to reflect your unique style and vision. You have full creative control to change the colors, fonts, animations, and music for a one-of-a-kind video. Plus, we have 3,000 licensed songs so you can create and share online worry-free.
Produce and share
When your square video is ready, download it in stunning 1080p HD, embed it in an email, share a watch link, or post directly to social media—all through Animoto.
Feel confident with video
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- No experience needed
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