Audiences are consuming more video than ever, and platforms continue to prioritize video content across feeds, search results, and recommendations. At the same time, shifting viewer habits and changing algorithms are forcing brands to rethink how they create and distribute content. Video continues to dominate online engagement, with short-form, mobile-first content leading the way.

Whether you're planning a summer campaign, launching a new product, recruiting talent, or building brand awareness, here are the biggest video trends we're seeing this season and how to make them work for your business.

1. Vertical Video Is Here To Stay

For years, brands treated vertical video as an afterthought. Not anymore.

Today, TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, LinkedIn, and even streaming platforms are prioritizing vertical-first experiences. The most successful brands are planning, shooting, and editing specifically for 9:16 viewing.

Tip: When planning a shoot, think beyond a single deliverable. Capture content that can live across multiple platforms and formats from the start.

A single production day can produce:

• Brand films

• Social clips

• Vertical reels

• Behind-the-scenes content

• Customer testimonials

• Recruitment videos

The goal is maximizing content value, not just creating one video.

2. Authenticity Continues to Outperform Perfection

Highly polished videos still have their place, but audiences are increasingly responding to content that feels real.

People want to see:

• Real employees

• Real customers

• Genuine stories

• Behind-the-scenes moments

• Honest conversations

The brands generating the most engagement aren't always the ones with the biggest budgets; they're often the ones creating the most relatable content. Community discussions around video marketing consistently highlight that authentic storytelling stands out more than mass-produced content.

Tip: Focus on human stories. A compelling customer testimonial often creates more trust than a highly scripted commercial.

3. Longer Short-Form Content Is Gaining Momentum

While quick 10–15 second videos still have value, many platforms are rewarding slightly longer short-form content.

Videos in the 60–90 second range are giving creators and brands more room to educate, tell stories, and provide context while still maintaining mobile-friendly engagement.

Tip: Instead of trying to cram everything into 15 seconds, focus on telling a complete story that earns attention from beginning to end. Strong hooks still matter, but substance matters too.

4. One Shoot Should Fuel Months of Content

One of the biggest shifts we're seeing is how brands think about content creation.

Rather than producing one large campaign each quarter, companies are building content libraries that can be repurposed throughout the year.

A single production day can generate:

• Website videos

• Social content

• Recruitment materials

• Sales enablement videos

• Event promotions

• Internal communications

Tip: When planning your next video project, ask yourself: "What additional content can we capture while we're already on location?" The answer often multiplies the return on investment.

5. Transparency Matters More Than Ever

As AI-generated content becomes increasingly common, audiences are becoming more aware of what's real and what's not.

Platforms are introducing more visible labeling of AI-generated content, placing greater emphasis on transparency and trust.

Brands that communicate honestly and show real people, real experiences, and real expertise will continue to build stronger audience relationships.

Tip: Trust is becoming a competitive advantage. Don't be afraid to showcase the people behind your brand.

Looking Ahead

The biggest video trend of Summer 2026 isn't a specific format, platform, or technology. It's intentionality.

The brands winning with video today aren't creating content just to stay active. They're creating content with purpose, whether that's educating customers, building trust, recruiting talent, or driving measurable business results.

At the end of the day, great video isn't about chasing trends. It's about telling meaningful stories in ways that connect with the people you want to reach. And that part never goes out of style.