People are fascinated with video and visual media. Users are more inclined towards visual content than other forms, from films, animation, and shared digital videos. Currently, social networks are full of visual media. With different platforms accessible at their fingertips, users have numerous entertainment and information options.
Many users are more attracted to video content: 90% of Internet users watch videos. Users watch vlogs, music videos, movies, and live streams. There are many options on the Internet, depending on the user’s preference.
Below, we discover the top social media video platforms ruling today and how they work.
Youtube
First on the list is YouTube, famous for its long, informative, and entertaining videos. This social media platform has dominated the Internet since 2005.
Despite not being the first video-sharing platform, YouTube became the main video platform, and 35 % of online users prefer the application to comment, like, and share videos.
At the time of its launch, the creators of YouTube intended to create a site for sharing videos of the latest events and updates circulating in popular media.
However, since its users discovered it, the platform has become famous for its comedy sketches and original home video content. This content earned YouTube millions of daily views.
FacebookWatch
Despite its unconventional approach to a typical video platform, Facebook Watch is becoming another contender. The video platform is integrated within Facebook and can only be accessed through its application or website.
Since launching in 2017, the social streaming site has become famous for its professionally created content. Several Facebook partners that create the content include Buzzfeed, CNN, Fox News, and Vox.
Facebook videos already get 8 billion views daily, making online marketers also prefer Facebook Watch as a marketing tool to engage users. The platform integrates ad breaks into videos for revenue and engagement.
Monetization is one of the platform’s priorities as it allows marketers to showcase their products. It has unique features that differentiate it from other platforms.
TikTok
Despite being the youngest platform on the list, TikTok is another key player in multimedia video content. It was the most downloaded app in history, with a net worth of $540 million.
Their short-form videos take the Internet by storm with content ranging from dancing, singing, information, and the latest news. 69% of TikTok users also belong to Generation Z (12-26 years old), and its popularity among young people stems from going viral through original content.
TikTok also allows popular users to earn money by posting videos. Another focus of the platform is to set the latest trends on social media.
The platform started as a photo-sharing app for users to show off their best professional or amateur photos. Later, Instagram faced challenges in keeping up with the latest trends.
Instagram now hosts several types of media, primarily video content. More than 500 million Instagram users use Stories daily, and 86.6% of businesses use Instagram Stories as part of their marketing campaigns.
With the popularity of TikTok and short-form video media, Instagram adopted changes. It revamped its features by launching “Reels” to compete with TikTok.
Since the launch of Reeds, 30% of its users prefer to browse Instagram Reels than use other app features.
Reels have a reach rate of 20.59% compared to carousels, IGTV, and images combined.
Vimeo
It was the first social media video platform launched, but then experienced challenges (i.e., other platforms eclipsed it).
To upgrade its platform, Vimeo changed it to a paid software application to serve big brands, filmmakers, and professionals.
This move resulted in video companies and independent filmmakers preferring Vimeo for its high-quality video content. Currently, the platform focuses on art and film content.
Unlike YouTube’s user-generated content or various degrees focused on entertainment, Vimeo is a professional playing field for viewers and users with a taste for high-quality content.
It took the platform five years to integrate video media by acquiring Vine. Now, its video content stands out due to its primarily text-based format.
The unique feature of Twitter videos is that they are only 140 seconds long (an homage to Twitter’s initial 140-character limit), which is better for quality content and featured information.
With this, most record labels use Twitter videos to follow up on their content from other social media platforms or to increase engagement through leads. In 2022, Twitter’s total advertising revenue reached $1.11 billion, a growth of 23% from the previous year.
