What video format for YouTube, TikTok and Instagram?

But YouTube also has its answer in short format with Shorts, shot in vertical 9:16. If you are aiming for this format, treat it as vertical content in its own right, designed for smartphones and quick consumption. In summary: horizontal for your main videos, vertical for your Shorts.

TikTok: vertical above all

On TikTok, the 9:16 vertical format is not an option, it’s the rule. The platform is designed to be consumed with your smartphone in hand, the screen filled from edge to edge. A horizontal video will appear tiny, surrounded by black, and will go unnoticed.

• Frame vertical from the shoot: think about your composition for height.
• Hook from the first second: attention is gained immediately.
• Keep the essentials in the center: the interface (text, buttons) covers the edges of the screen.
• Prioritize rhythm: dynamic editing, clean cuts, readable subtitles.

Instagram: a multi-format ecosystem

Instagram is undoubtedly the most complex, because the platform juggles between several formats depending on the publication location. Fitting your video in the right place is essential for it to display correctly.

• Reels: 9:16 vertical format, full screen, designed for short and viral content.
• Stories: also vertical 9:16, ephemeral, spontaneous, ideal for behind the scenes.
• News feed: the 4:5 vertical format or the 1:1 square occupy space well and are displayed better than horizontal.

The winning strategy often consists of producing a reusable vertical version on Reels, Stories and TikTok, while keeping a version adapted to the feed.

Film once, publish everywhere: the right method

How to avoid shooting the same scene three times? The key is to anticipate. The hardware plays a decisive role: action cameras like the GoPro Hero, with their very wide field of vision, and 360° cameras like the Insta360 capture a generous image that can then be reframed horizontally or vertically without any notable loss of quality.

• Turn wide: a generous frame leaves room to crop depending on the platform.
• Aim for the highest resolution: cropping from a very defined image preserves sharpness.
• Think vertical as a priority: this is the most demanding and most consumed format on mobile.
• Export in native format: a dedicated export per platform is always better than a single poorly adapted file.

The right material for the right format

Ultimately, choosing your video format means knowing your destination — horizontal for YouTube, vertical for TikTok, multi-format for Instagram — and shooting accordingly. But no strategy replaces hardware capable of capturing a large, stable and well-defined image. Rather than investing heavily in a latest generation GoPro Hero or Insta360, you can rent them for the duration of your shoots and test what best serves your content.

Want to produce content calibrated for each network? Discover the action and 360° cameras available for rental from Fox Rider, delivered everywhere in France with insurance included. A question? Contact us.