How to Choose the Best Video Length for Higher Rankings

Published date: August 26, 2025

Key Takeaways

Understanding your target audience helps determine the ideal video length for better engagement and SEO.
Different video types, like corporate videos or event videos, require varying lengths for maximum effectiveness.
Quality content is more important than video length. Focus on delivering valuable, engaging stories.
Search engines reward videos with longer average view durations and lower bounce rates, making length crucial.
Customizing video lengths for different platforms, such as YouTube or Instagram, improves reach and audience interaction.

When it comes to commercial video content, length matters. Not only does it impact how engaging your content is, but it can also influence your SEO performance.
Whether you’re crafting a branding documentary production or an event video, getting the length right can help elevate your video to the top of search rankings.
Let’s dive into how to choose the best video length for higher rankings and why it matters for your digital strategy.

How Long Should a Video Be for Optimal SEO Performance?

The length of your video plays a crucial role in its success on search engines. Generally, videos that are around 10–20 minutes long tend to strike a balance between keeping your audience engaged while offering substantial content for SEO purposes. However, depending on the type of video and the audience you’re targeting, you may want to adjust the length accordingly.

For instance, a corporate video production may require a slightly longer video to showcase a company’s values and services, while an explainer video might be more effective in a shorter format. In short, the key is ensuring that your video is long enough to provide value, but not so long that it causes viewers to lose interest or increases your bounce rates.

10 Ways to Choose the Best Video Length for Higher Rankings

Understand Your Target Audience
Knowing who your target audience is can help you decide the ideal length. Are you catering to professionals in need of corporate event video production, or are you addressing a broader audience with general branded video content? Tailor your video length based on their preferences and attention spans. The more you align with their expectations, the more likely they are to engage with your content and share it.
Match the Video Type with Length
Different video types demand different lengths. Corporate videos, for example, may need to be longer to deliver the message clearly, while event video production can be shorter to highlight key moments. Align the video length with its purpose to ensure it’s effective and resonates with your audience. For branded video content production, aim to balance showcasing your brand’s story without losing viewers’ attention.
Aim for Quality Over Quantity
A high-quality video production with compelling stories can be more valuable than a longer, less focused video. Prioritize creating videos that are informative and entertaining rather than trying to meet a specific length goal. A well-crafted testimonial video or explainer video that offers clear value can often outperform longer content in terms of engagement and SEO.
Consider the SEO Factor
Search engines tend to favor videos with longer watch times and lower bounce rates. Videos between 10 and 20 minutes tend to perform well, but make sure the content remains engaging. A longer video is beneficial only if it keeps viewers hooked. One effective strategy is to create videos that can be easily shared across multiple platforms, expanding your reach and increasing engagement metrics.
Leverage Social Media Platforms
Different platforms may have different optimal video lengths. For instance, YouTube videos tend to do well with a longer duration, while Instagram and Facebook favor shorter, snackable videos. Customize your video length based on where you plan to share it, and ensure that your video titles and descriptions are optimized for each platform.
Use Engaging Thumbnails and Titles
A custom thumbnail and compelling video title can encourage viewers to watch longer videos, especially when paired with quality content. These elements can help increase click-through rates and reduce bounce rates, both of which are crucial for SEO. This is where keyword research tools, such as Ahrefs Keyword Explorer, come in handy for identifying high-volume, low-competition keywords to use in your video titles.
Focus on Average View Duration
One of the most important metrics for SEO is average view duration. A video that keeps viewers engaged for a longer period tends to rank better. So, aim for a video length that maintains interest throughout without overstaying its welcome. Keep track of your viewer engagement and adjust future video projects accordingly for maximum impact.
Use a Strong Video Description and Keywords
Including relevant keywords in your video description, title, and tags helps optimize your video for search engines. For example, when crafting a corporate video, use terms like “corporate video production” and “Dallas corporate video production” to increase search visibility. Also, don’t forget to include keywords like “video marketing” or “event video production services” to ensure the video reaches your desired audience.
Test and Adjust
Not all videos perform the same way. Conduct tests to figure out what works best for your audience. Pay attention to engagement metrics such as video views and bounce rates to adjust the length for future video projects. Regularly testing your video content is an innovative approach to optimizing your video SEO and maximizing video views.
Prioritize User Experience
The ultimate goal is to create a positive user experience. If a video is too short, it may lack depth; if it’s too long, viewers may lose interest. Strike the right balance to maintain audience engagement and optimize your video for search engines. In addition, try to optimize for the right search queries with keyword research tools to ensure your video content reaches a wider audience.

Maximize Your Video Potential with Expert Support

Now that you know how to determine the best video length for higher rankings, it’s time to take action. Whether you’re producing a branding piece, hosting a major event, or developing content for a cause, our team is ready to help. Our non-profit video production services can help organizations tell meaningful stories that drive results.

Ready to take your video production to the next level? Contact us today at (972) 928-0434 and let’s start creating content that resonates with your audience while boosting your SEO rankings! Don’t wait—maximize your video marketing potential now!