How Long Should a Business Video Be in 2025?

Are your videos too long—or just long enough to be forgotten?

That question sits at the heart of modern business video strategy. In 2025, we’re surrounded by reels, ads, explainers, and demos. But with attention spans at an all-time low and audiences swiping past anything that doesn’t grab them instantly, one issue keeps cropping up: how long should a business video actually be?

At i-Q&A, we work with clients who know that storytelling matters—but who also recognise that time is tight, and viewers are ruthless. This blog dives into the numbers, best practices, and nuanced thinking behind ideal video durations. Because there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Only the right length for the right moment.

Why Video Length Still Matters—But Context Matters More

It’s easy to fall into the “shorter is better” mindset. And yes, brevity has its strengths—especially on fast-paced platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter/X. But length alone doesn’t determine success. It’s about purpose, platform, and viewer intent.

Take this data, for instance:

Videos under 30 seconds often hit an 80% completion rate (Wistia)
Under 60 seconds still perform well, with a 65% completion rate (Vidyard)
Over 20 minutes? Only 1 in 5 viewers typically stick around

That might suggest shorter is always better—but hold on.

Imagine a five-minute product case study. It might bore a casual browser. But for a warm lead ready to buy, it could be the detail they need to say yes. That’s why it’s so important to match video length to audience, purpose, and timing.

Corporate and Promotional Videos: What’s the Sweet Spot?

For most businesses, the sweet spot lies between 2 to 3 minutes for general corporate and promotional videos. Long enough to share a strong message—short enough to hold attention.

Corporate overview videos: 2–3 minutes
General promotional content: 2–3 minutes
Fundraising campaigns: 2–6 minutes (longer if you have a captive audience)

These formats work best when well-paced and emotionally engaging. Don’t just present facts—tell a story that moves quickly and leaves a lasting impression.

Video Length by Purpose and Format

Let’s break it down further by common business video types:

Social Media Videos

These need to stop the scroll—fast.

Instagram Reels: 15–30 seconds
TikTok: 15–60 seconds (10 minutes max)
Facebook Feed: 24–90 seconds
LinkedIn Ads: 15–30 seconds
Twitter/X: 20–45 seconds
Snapchat: 1–10 seconds

👉 Key advice: Communicate your message within the first 15 seconds. Use captions, energetic edits, and thumb-stopping visuals.

Homepage and Landing Page Videos

These impact bounce rates and conversions.

Recommended length: 30–60 seconds
Use them to introduce your brand, explain your offer, and build trust—fast.

Explainer and Product Demo Videos

These are for people actively seeking answers.

Explainer videos: 60–90 seconds
Product demos: 1–3 minutes
Tutorials: 2–10 minutes

As long as your content is helpful, viewers will stay with you.

Promotional and Sales Videos

Designed to drive interest and action.

Initial outreach: 30–60 seconds
Mid-funnel: 1–3 minutes
Adverts: 15–60 seconds

Use shorter cuts for awareness. Save the longer versions for when people are warming up.

Testimonials and Case Studies

These build trust and provide proof.

Short testimonials: 30–60 seconds
In-depth case studies: 2–5 minutes (even up to 10 minutes if appropriate)

The further someone is in their decision journey, the more likely they are to stick around for a longer story.

Company Culture and Recruitment Videos

Your chance to show what your business stands for.

Overview videos: 1–3 minutes
Employee spotlights: 1–2 minutes
Culture stories: 1–5 minutes

Keep each video focused on one clear theme or value.

Webinars and Thought Leadership

Deep dives work—if structured properly.

Live webinars: 30–60 minutes
Replay edits: 10–20 minutes
Expert interviews: 6–10 minutes
Keynote talks: 10–15 minutes

Pro tip: break longer content into chapters or highlight reels.

Matching Length to Buyer Journey Stage

Understanding your viewer’s mindset helps determine what length works best:

Awareness Stage (Top of Funnel)

Goal: Spark interest
Ideal length: 15–60 seconds
Formats: Social teasers, intro videos, ads

Consideration Stage (Middle of Funnel)

Goal: Inform and educate
Ideal length: 60–120 seconds
Formats: Explainers, testimonials, landing page videos

Decision Stage (Bottom of Funnel)

Goal: Build confidence and clarity
Ideal length: 2–5 minutes
Formats: Case studies, detailed walkthroughs, onboarding previews

If a video is too short at this stage, it may leave the viewer with unanswered questions.

Why Platform-Specific Edits Make All the Difference

Here’s the truth: what works on YouTube probably won’t work on Instagram. Each platform has unique expectations and behaviours:

YouTube:
- Shorts (under 60s)
- Standard videos (5–10 mins)
- Use chapters for structure
Instagram:
- Reels (15–60s)
- Stories (15s per frame)
- Prioritise subtitles and visuals
TikTok:
- Sweet spot: under 60s
- Max: 10 mins (best for behind-the-scenes or education)
LinkedIn:
- Feed videos (15s to 3 mins)
- Live videos (up to 60 mins)
- B2B audiences will watch longer if the content has substance
Facebook:
- Feed (15–60s)
- Live or Watch tab: up to 4 hours

Keep feed content short and replay content tight

Use Data to Guide Your Length Decisions

Even the best video strategy needs refinement. Analytics will tell you:

Where viewers drop off
How long they stick around
Whether they take action

Check platforms like:

YouTube Studio
Wistia
Vidyard
LinkedIn Analytics

If people click off early, tighten your introduction. If they stay but don’t act, rework your CTA.

Should You Make Multiple Versions of the Same Video?

Yes—and you should plan for it.

Why limit yourself to a single version when you can tailor to each stage and channel?

Create these variations:

15–30 seconds for social ads
60 seconds for landing pages or emails
2–3 minutes for YouTube or LinkedIn
5–10 minutes for internal presentations or deep dives

This not only extends the life of your content—it increases its effectiveness across different touchpoints.

Final Thoughts from i-Q&A

There’s no magic number when it comes to business video length. The right answer always depends on the viewer, the context, and the goal.

Ask yourself:

Who are we speaking to?
Where will this video be seen?
What decision (if any) should the viewer make?
How long do we really have to earn their trust?

If you get those answers right, the length will follow naturally.

At i-Q&A, we help brands craft video content that meets real needs—on every screen and at every stage of the customer journey. Whether it’s a 20-second brand teaser or a 5-minute demo walkthrough, we guide clients toward content that respects the viewer’s time and earns their attention.

Because in a world where every second counts, your video’s length isn’t just a number—it’s a decision.

Visit i-qa.net to see how we help brands make every second work harder.