If you need to publish videos, then you can choose either YouTube or Facebook videos. Each platform’s performance and capabilities are different. However, their similarities are very apparent. In this light, many businesses get confused which service to use. If you want your content to perform efficiently, then here are five points to consider before publishing on either of the platforms.
Video File Size
A newly-made YouTube account can only upload up to 15 minutes of videos. However, if you verify your account, then you remove time limits for videos you upload. You can also upload file sizes up to 128GB, which is perfect for excellently-produced videos.
If you want to verify your account, then you can do the following steps:
- Connect your account to a Google+ /Facebook page
- Have a substantial number of subscribers
- Add Your website on your YouTube account
On the other hand, Facebook has a video limit of only 45 minutes. You can also upload only up to 1GB file-sized videos. The social network lifts the limits by following these two technicalities:
- You must limit a 1080 HD file to a bitrate of 8mbps
- You can do the same for a 720 HD file. Instead of 8mbps, it should be limited to 4mbps
Target Audience Attention Spans
YouTube videos require a huge chunk of time from your target audience. Therefore, if these videos are more than five minutes, then they must be entertaining. They must both be well-researched and should break the ice from time to time.
Given Facebook’s data limit for videos, it is suitable for individuals with short attention spans. Shorter videos are not necessarily easier to create. They pose the challenge of presenting the narrative in less than five minutes. These videos must also be attention-grabbing and informative.
However, when using any platform, do not only consider your audience’s attention spans. Also consider whether many of your target consumers use YouTube or Facebook most of the time. For example, a videogame streaming channel will often use YouTube rather than Facebook. SEO agencies will likely use Facebook videos because many marketers are connected through social networks as well.
Advertisement or Full Feature?
Storytelling comes naturally in all videos. However, some are suited for advertising a certain product. Others might be suited for focusing on the narrative. If you’re focusing on presenting a product or service’s technicalities, then a short advertisement may be useful.
Facebook Videos are a great platform for traditional TV-style advertising. Most Facebook users will jump from one video to another. In fact, they will watch videos that interest them. Therefore, a short ad can be hilarious or curious enough for them to watch.
However, if you intend to use native advertising through minor product inserts in a feature, then YouTube is for your videos. Native advertising places your product or service as inserts in a short or full-length feature.
For example: Coca-Cola’s Christmas season commercials. These commercials do not describe any product specifications. However, it positions the product as a contributor for the happy reunion of families during Christmas season. Since full-features are lengthy and probably have a huge file size, then YouTube is certainly the best platform to use.
The First Five Seconds
The first five seconds of any advertising is important. If you want to grab the attention of your viewers, then you must pique their curiosity quickly. Facebook videos are better at doing this. The app and browser plays videos automatically on users’ News Feeds. If you add captions, then you can reach audiences who prefer to watch videos silently.
YouTube is a great platform for advertising if you intend to achieve two things. One is to use your short videos as in-stream commercials. Another is to present your products or services in high image quality. While you can make lengthy, informative, and entertaining videos on YouTube, you can achieve better results and possibly complete your marketing funnel if you use Facebook for the task.
Analytics Will Vary
YouTube and Facebook analytics differ exponentially from one another. However, the bottom line is, if you want to know your videos’ selling and engagement performances then Facebook videos are useful.
YouTube focuses on lengthy and “infotaining” content. However, no one can discount its capability to deliver marketing funnel traffic. YouTube’s analytics focus on the content’s peak viewability, demographics of its viewers, and playback locations. It can also identify which devices have accessed the video. You can also see the number of requests for translations and audience-preferred languages.