Guide to TikTok Video Length for 2024

Dan Meaney

Updated October 29, 2024

TikTok Video Length

Between March and August 2023, videos that went for longer than 54 seconds got 38,000 views on average. Somehow, shorter content had fewer views compared to previous months. As of 2024, TikTok is still going strong as one of the most popular platforms in the world. Still, the public demands change all the time, not only in terms of content topics and quality but also when it comes to video length.
If you are a content creator, chances are you’re always looking for ways to improve your content and get more views, likes, comments, and followers. In the past, you may have focused on the content subject and video quality more while neglecting video length. But how long your videos are matters, too. Some people have shorter attention spans and prefer brief videos, while others don’t mind something that goes on for a little longer.
How long can a TikTok video be, and what is the perfect length for your content? If you’re trying to find your target audience with the help of the possible TikTok video lengths, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep on reading our guide to TikTok video length for 2024. This way, you’ll be on your path to success.

🎥️ What’s the Ideal Length for TikTok Videos in 2024?

TikTok length is something people look at differently. For instance, some content creators prefer to post videos that last only a few seconds, while others aren’t afraid to keep their videos going longer. The truth is that TikTok has changed over the years, so while users expected one thing when the app was just launched, some individuals have different needs and desires.
Now, the ideal video length varies over time and depends on each user’s preferences. For example, if someone tends to watch 30-second videos more often, the algorithm will recommend more 30-second videos instead of 15-second ones or videos that go on for several minutes. According to TikTok, the ideal length for videos is 21-34 seconds.
But just because this is the recommended length for videos, it doesn’t mean all your content should follow this formula. Longer videos may work better for your type of content, so if that helps you reach your target audience, it’s unnecessary to shorten your videos.

🎞️ Ways to Find the Best Length for Your TikTok Videos

find video sizeSo, how long can TikTok videos be? Let’s delve a bit more into the subject. But how do you determine the best length for your content or TikTok video ads? You don’t always have to follow the minimum or maximum video length religiously.
Here is how to find the best TikTok video size for your page before you upload videos:

🔘 Get to Know Your Target Audience

One important aspect that will help you determine the perfect TikTok video dimensions and lengths for your account is your target audience. Who are the people you are trying to attract? Are they people who like storytimes that last several minutes, or people who like short-form videos that present new products or services, make people laugh, and so on?
You should also keep in mind that your video size will influence what video length your audience will accept in the future.

🔘 Pay Attention to the Posting Time

When do you usually post a video on TikTok? When does your audience seem to be most active on social media? These aspects will influence how long TikTok users will tolerate your video content.
Younger audiences, such as people in their early 20s, may be busy with college work, so they won’t have time to watch long videos when they’re in class, working on projects, or studying for exams. On the other hand, if your target audience is people between 24 and 35 who go to work, chances are they will be unable to watch longer content while they’re at their jobs.
If you’re going to post longer videos, make sure you do it at the right time. You can find out the perfect posting time by checking your TikTok analytics. They’ll reveal when most of your audience is active so you can plan each TikTok post carefully.
Also, consider the content category when determining the video duration. Some content types work better with certain video lengths – mixed with the right posting time, this can help you find the recipe for success.

🔘 Consider the Attention Spans of the Users

TikTok videos will have different effects depending on each individual’s attention span. For example, many people are so used to short-form content nowadays that they also have shorter attention spans. In fact, many users prefer shorter videos as they find content that is longer than one minute stressful and hard to follow.
Most users look for shorter videos, so the algorithm inevitably favors this content and puts it on people’s For You Pages more often. This is why it’s essential to edit your videos to have the perfect 15-30-second length or at least create varied content of different lengths so viewers can pick their own videos to watch.

🔘 Use TikTok Analytics to Your Advantage

Another easy way to determine the perfect length for your TikTok videos is to use the analytics option. TikTok analytics can tell you a lot about the performance of each TikTok video. You’ll learn a lot about long and short TikTok videos and how they usually perform based on the audience’s interactions.
Analytics should tell you when your followers prefer long videos over short ones, and vice-versa, so you’ll know what they like the most. Then, you can create a content strategy that involves the type of posts your fans love, turning your TikTok page into a more successful project.

⏱ The Minimum and Maximum Length to Use for TikTok Videos

TikTok’s available video length options have changed over the years. In the past, users could only focus on 15-second videos, but the duration increased. It got to 60-second clips, and then, by the end of 2020, people had the feature to post content that lasted 3 minutes. This automatically offered more freedom to those who wanted to include more in their TikTok videos without forcing them to go to another video if they wanted to find out more.
In 2024, you have even more TikTok video length options to choose from. Not long ago, the platform’s video length limit was increased. If you want, you can even post 10-minute videos on your page as long as you think your followers will watch them.

📌 How Can the Length of a Video Affect How Many Views You Can Get?

video lengthMany new TikTok creators don’t know how much video lengths can affect the success of their content. This is why a lot of fresh video content creators, vloggers, brand owners, and other accounts make the mistake of posting videos that may be too long or too short, depending on the case. It’s also confusing when short-form content is recommended, even though you can find longer videos that get just as many likes.
The length of a video affects how many views you can get because of your audience. Some audiences prefer shorter content because their attention span is shorter as well. Due to the existence of so much video content online, there was a decrease in the ability to focus, with content longer than 1 minute being harder to watch.
However, the type of content matters too. Some ideas work much better with longer videos. Some examples are storytime videos, videos that present interesting facts, and behind-the-scenes content. It’s hard to convey everything in a short post, which is why longer content is necessary in this case.
On average, short videos are recommended even by TikTok itself due to how well they perform. Still, you can get likes for long videos if you post the right content or attract the ideal target audience for your page.

🔍 What Is The Ideal Video Length When Advertising?

Following the perfect length when advertising on TikTok is even more critical considering the implications. Nowadays, TikTok is a site that has become crucial for advertising purposes, with brands doing their best to attract as many fans and customers as possible. Statistics show that 38% of industry professionals are trying to boost their TikTok use for promotional campaigns within the following year.
For in-feed video ads, which pop up in people’s FYP, the ideal length is between 5 and 60 seconds, although up to 15 seconds is also perfect to get as much engagement as possible. On the other hand, brand takeover ads, which are videos that start playing when you open the program, should have a maximum length of 5 seconds.
Paying attention to the duration of your TikTok video ads is crucial if you want your marketing campaign to succeed.

📝 How to Get Better Results for Your TikTok Videos

If you want to get better results regardless of your TikTok video length, here are some tips that will help:

  • Get to know your target audience. You should be aware of the people you want to attract and their search intent. This will help you create content that they find interesting.
  • Get your viewers’ attention from the first few seconds. If you want people to keep watching your TikTok video, even when it’s longer, you should ensure they are already engaged from the beginning of the post. Reveals and teasers are two things that will help maintain their interest.
  • Use trending sounds. TikTok has an excellent music collection and various sounds that will help make your content more engaging. Some sounds get quite popular on the platform and if you use them, they can improve the reach and engagement of your videos.
  • Take advantage of hashtags. These will ensure that your posts reach the key audience no matter if the videos are short or long.
  • Pay attention to the TikTok dimensions. Using the correct resolution and aspect ratio will do wonders when it comes to the success of your content and boost your posts within the platform.

✅ Conclusion

Factors such as TikTok size for your videos, as well as using the right hashtags and sounds, can make people watch your content regardless of length. Usually, short-form posts are preferred, but you can also create a TikTok video that is longer than 1 minute as long as your target audience prefers this type of content. Do some research to find out what your fans want to keep them engaged.

Dan Meaney

Written By: Dan Meaney

Marketing Manager

Dan Meaney stands as a testament to what dedication in the marketing realm can achieve. With a solid background in innovative strategies and a keen understanding of the global market landscape, Dan's expertise truly shines in the realm of social media marketing (SMM). Having garnered invaluable experience at a prominent SMM company, he has honed his skills in connecting brands with their target audiences in the most authentic ways possible. Currently, Dan is channeling his passion and expertise at socialsgrow.com, where he is not only contributing to its growth but also redefining the standards of effective online engagement. His unique perspective, paired with his extensive experience, brings a refreshing and impactful approach to the digital marketing space.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *