Short form videos, also known as short form videos, have transformed the modern digital marketing and social media strategy, becoming one of the most dynamic tools for increasing engagement and brand awareness. Thanks to platforms such as Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts, users come into daily contact with videos of 60 seconds or less, which are consumed quickly but at the same time leave a strong imprint on the viewer's memory. For owners online shops, incorporating short videos into their strategy is no longer an option, but a necessity for a strong online presence. The focus keyword “short videos” has seen a sharp increase in searches over the past two years, with impressive search volume, while similar keywords such as “Instagram Reels”, “TikTok” and “YouTube Shorts” remain at the top of the trends.
The advantages of short videos in modern marketing
Creating short videos offers clear and measurable results. According to recent research, businesses that incorporate short-form video into their strategy report an increase in engagement rate of up to 50% over other forms of content. Platforms are prioritising such content through feeds and explore tabs, thanks to the high response they generate from users. For example, the TikTok platform has optimised its algorithm by promoting original short-form videos that keep the audience's interest. Meanwhile, Instagram Reels are beginning to outperform other forms of Instagram video marketing in terms of performance, while YouTube Shorts boosted average video views by 20% on accounts that have systematically utilized them.
Successful strategies for short videos
Implementing short-form video strategies requires specific steps to get the most out of your business. First, set clear goals - do you want to increase awareness, engagement or achieve conversion rates for your e-shop visitors? Next step is to analyze the audience trend. Using questions, TikTok trends or popular challenges in Instagram Reels can skyrocket the performance of a performance video.
Imagine an online cosmetics store: A short video with a 15-second beauty hack accompanied by subtitles and a call-to-action “Try it now”. With proper optimization, this video can reach thousands of views, lead to a rapid increase in reach and, of course, translate into new sales.
Focus on a clear message, fast scene switching, vertical format and original sound. Using popular tracks in TikTok or trending YouTube Shorts increases viral potential. Don't forget hashtags that fit your industry and boost interaction by asking for comments or réactions below the video.
Statistics and trends for 2026 in short videos
The use of short videos is projected to increase even more in 2026. According to HubSpot, 54% of consumers want to see more videos from their favorite brands, while videos under a minute have a significantly higher completion rate. Instagram Reels and TikTok hold over 60% of total time spent on videos for ages 18-34, confirming their importance to youthful and dynamic audiences. In addition, social media trends show that users love authentic and direct messages, now avoiding pretentious promotional videos.
Suggestions and best practices for online store owners
For professionals and owners online shops, short videos are an ideal solution for highlighting products, offers and customer reviews. You can showcase new products with short unboxings, quick tutorials or FAQs received from your audience - always in short video format. Also try combining video with UGC (user generated content) to maximize credibility and interaction. Invest in analyzing the performance of each strategy by tracking video marketing stats on each platform for continuous improvement.
Short videos are the future of social media video marketing. Incorporating new trends, keeping up with social media trends and systematically using tools like Instagram Reels, TikTok and YouTube Shorts help online store owners convert audiences into active customers. Harness the power of short-form videos and see an increase in reach, strengthening brand image and improving conversion rates. 2026 is set to be an explosive year for any professional who invests properly in video content marketing.