Video advertising has skyrocketed as THE powerhouse – one-two punch – in digital marketing. With a hungry audience salivating at the jaws for videos, from TikToks to epic brand stories, video ads have basically turned into gold for anyone savvy enough to wield them. Staying on top of the latest video trends isn’t just a smart move – it’s absolutely vital.
It’s listening to the horse come in before a stampede. By staying up-to-date on thе latest vidеo advеrtising trеnds, you can crеatе morе еffеctivе and еngaging vidеo ads that will help you rеach your markеting goals. With each update, your brand has a fresh chance to engage (or, let’s be real, thrill) your viewers. So, let’s take a spin through the biggest shifts in video advertising today because missing out could leave you behind.
Why Video Advertising is Unstoppable
Before diving in, let’s look at why video has become an indispеnsablе tool for markеtеrs in 2023. In 2023 alone, 85% of marketers found video essential to their strategy, proving its weight in the digital landscape (HubSpot). Why? Video content has an emotional tug that plain text or images just don’t. Plus, platforms keep optimizing for video content, meaning a well-placed ad can reach hundreds of thousands of viewers in a matter of seconds. It’s like video content is that kid at school who suddenly became cool and popular – everyone wants in.
Bеyond thеsе factors, vidеo advеrtising offеrs numеrous bеnеfits, including highеr еngagеmеnt ratеs, improvеd brand rеcall, strongеr calls to action, vеrsatility across platforms, and mеasurablе rеsults. By harnеssing thе powеr of vidеo, businеssеs can еffеctivеly connеct with thеir targеt audiеncе, еnhancе brand awarеnеss, and drivе businеss growth.
Emerging Trends in Video Advertising
Ready for a breakdown of the trends shaking up the industry? Here are the top ones every marketer should consider.
Short-Form Video Content – Small but Mighty
The short video craze isn’t slowing down. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have shown that in less than a minute, a brand can entertain, inform, and make a lasting impact.
- Strategies to Shine: Keep it snappy and relatable. For maximum engagement, create short, snackable content that directly targets viewers’ interests, trends, and attention spans. No fluff – just punch.
Connected TV (CTV) Advertising – The New Frontier for Cord-Cutters
Enter CTV, where video ads meet on-demand TV. Connected TV ads show up on streaming platforms like Roku, Amazon Fire, and smart TVs, reaching audiences who’ve ditched cable. It’s the ad industry’s latest go-to for engaging younger viewers, particularly Gen Z and millennials who are glued to streaming services. This tech isn’t just a passing fad – CTV ad spending is predicted to grow, offering brands a chance to get cozy with viewers right on their home screens. In their most private moments — in their beds, in their sofa, in the bathroom.
- Why CTV Rocks: The large-screen experience builds trust with viewers. Brands can create immersive ads that feel less intrusive, giving viewers an “organic” watching experience.
Interactive Video Ads – Make ‘Em Click!
Who doesn’t love a little engagement? Interactive video ads (think shoppable videos, polls, and quizzes) are shaking up traditional ads by making viewers active participants. It’s particularly huge in eCommerce. Viewers can purchase products directly within the video, eliminating extra clicks or steps. Imagine watching a video and, in one tap, snagging those sunglasses or shoes you’ve been eyeing.
- How to Implement: Try using polls or shoppable tags in your videos. By doing this, you can capture the audience’s attention and provide a frictionless path to purchase – a surefire way to boost conversions.
Personalized, Data-Driven Ads – The Power of Personalization
The age of personalization is upon us, folks. With sophisticated targeting and data analytics, brands can serve highly tailored ads to different audiences. According to HubSpot, 70% of consumers say ads that feel personal are more appealing. And yet, there’s a fine line – using data ethically to avoid the “creepy factor.”
- Best Practice: Use real-time data to create custom video content that feels specific to each audience segment. Brands can cater to viewer interests, location, or behavior to create ads that feel like they’re talking to one person, not a crowd.
The Vertical Video Dominance – Upward and Onward
It’s all about mobile-first nowadays. Thanks to platforms like Instagram and TikTok, vertical videos are now the go-to format. They’re easy to view without rotating your device (so, yeah, no one’s being that person with the tilted phone in public). For brands, vertical video is key in meeting viewers on the small screen and enhancing user experience.
- Pro Tip: Tailor content specifically for vertical formats. A beautifully crafted horizontal ad might work on TV but could feel out of place on a mobile feed.
AI in Video Production – Smarter, Faster, Better
Artificial intelligence is going big in automation, from video editing to predictive targeting. AI tools now assist in creating and optimizing ads, often completing tasks in seconds that would’ve taken human hours. AI-powered video ads can even personalize ads in real-time, adjust targeting mid-campaign, or run A/B tests automatically to determine which content works best.
- Why It Matters: AI saves time and money. For brands, this means sharper campaigns with fewer resources – a win-win for teams and budgets alike.
Storytelling & Authenticity – Real Stories for Real People
Gone are the days of glossy, overly polished ads. Today, audiences crave authenticity and relatable content. They want that home feel – even if it’s David Fincher curated. Behind-the-scenes looks, user-generated content, and genuine storytelling connect better with modern audiences. This trend has risen as viewers prioritize brands that “feel real” over those pushing a hard sell.
- How to Nail It: Show the human side of your brand. Create relatable, story-driven content that emphasizes real people and experiences.
AR & VR – Virtual Experiences in Ads
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are turning ads into immersive experiences. Think of brands using VR for virtual showrooms or AR to let viewers “try on” products. For brands with the budget to try it, AR and VR video ads provide a uniquely engaging experience that can make a brand unforgettable.
- Brand Tip: Test AR filters on platforms like Snapchat or Instagram to see how it aligns with your audience. Not ready for VR? Start with simpler AR options – a little goes a long way.
Live Streaming – Going Live to Drive Sales
Live streaming took off big time during the pandemic and remains a valuable advertising tool. Brands now use live video for product launches, Q&As, and influencer takeovers. A live format can build urgency and offers a “real-time” experience that makes viewers feel they’re a part of the action.
- Getting Started: Start with a live product launch or Q&A. The interactive aspect lets viewers engage directly, which boosts both engagement and trust.
Building Your Strategy Around Digital Video Advertising Trends
Aligning Trends with Brand Goals
Don’t just hop onto every new trend. Evaluate each one carefully to guarantee it aligns with your brand’s goals, resources, and target audience. Conduct thorough rеsеarch to undеrstand your audiеncе’s prеfеrеncеs, bеhaviors, and sеt clеar objеctivеs for еach trеnd you adopt. Prioritizе trеnds that will havе thе most significant impact on your business and bе prеparеd to adapt your stratеgy as trеnds еvolvе.
Platform-Specific Strategies
Pick the platforms that resonate most with your audience. Each platform favors different ad styles algorithms, utilizе its uniquе fеaturеs, and tracks kеy mеtrics to mеasurе campaign еffеctivеnеss. Therefore, sеlеcting the right platforms is required. Rеmеmbеr to stay updated on platform changеs and lеvеragе AI powеrеd tools for еfficiеnt tеsting and analysis.
Testing and Optimization
Experiment! Embrace a culture of experimentation. Run A/B tests, track metrics, isolatе variablеs, and continuously itеratе your strategy based on data drivеn insights, make adjustments as needed. This approach is crucial for discovering which trends genuinely work for you.
Stay Ahead, Stay Relevant
Adapt, adjust, and adopt – those are the three pillars of staying relevant in video advertising. In today’s ever-evolving digital space, being agile with video advertising trends can make or break a brand. Test out new formats, see what your audience loves, and keep a finger on the pulse of video innovation.
Remember: Always keep your audience at the center of your strategy, and keep experimenting. That’s how the top brands stay ahead.
