The best video aspect ratio for SEO and engagement depends on the platform and how users consume content. Here’s how each format performs:
1. Landscape (16:9) – Best for YouTube & Websites
✅ Best for: YouTube, websites, desktop viewing
✅ SEO Impact: Preferred by Google for video indexing, best for embedding
✅ Performance:
- YouTube: 16:9 is the default and most optimized format
- Google Search: Videos in 16:9 get better visibility in search results
- Best for tutorials, explainer videos, and corporate content
2. Square (1:1) – Best for Social Media (Facebook & Instagram Feeds)
✅ Best for: Facebook, Instagram feed, LinkedIn
✅ SEO Impact: Higher engagement leads to better organic reach
✅ Performance:
- Facebook & Instagram: 78% more screen space in mobile feeds vs. 16:9
- Higher engagement: Facebook studies show 1:1 videos get 35% more views and 80% more engagement than landscape videos
3. Vertical (9:16) – Best for Mobile & Reels (TikTok, Instagram, Shorts)
✅ Best for: TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook Stories
✅ SEO Impact: Dominates mobile-first platforms, ranking better in TikTok & Reels algorithms
✅ Performance:
- Mobile-first: 75% of all video content is watched on mobile devices
- Instagram & TikTok favor full-screen vertical videos in their algorithms
- Short-form vertical videos get higher completion rates and shares
Which Performs Best for SEO?
- For YouTube & Google search: 16:9 (Landscape)
- For Facebook & Instagram Feeds: 1:1 (Square)
- For TikTok, Reels, and Shorts: 9:16 (Vertical)
If you want maximum reach across platforms, creating both 16:9 for YouTube and 9:16 for social media
Contact Lypowy Studio at 732-270-2181 to have you business or organizations created. We can help you choose the right aspect ratio.