How long should a product video be?

As short as the story allows. For social ads, 15 to 30 seconds. For social posts and quick demos, 30 to 60. For an explainer on your website or Product Hunt page, up to about 90 seconds. Longer than that, and most viewers leave before the ending.

Length by where it plays

Instagram Reels, TikTok and Stories ads: 15 to 30 seconds, tall (9:16).
LinkedIn and X posts: 30 to 60 seconds, wide (16:9).
Your website's first screen: 30 to 90 seconds, wide.
Sales emails and pitch decks: 30 to 60 seconds.
Product Hunt and launch day: up to about 90 seconds.

How to know when it's too long

Read the script aloud. If a line doesn't move the story forward, cut it. If a scene holds still with nothing new happening, it's padding. A video that's waiting feels longer than one that's moving.

What decides the length

The number of things you need to say. One idea takes 15 seconds. A problem, three steps and a result take about a minute. With a voice, the lines set the pace; without one, people need time to read.

Van-Goh chooses a length from what the video is for when you don't set one, and tells you on the plan before anything is made.

How to make it with Van-Goh

1Write one prompt. Say what the product is, who it's for and the one thing the video must show. One line is enough.
2Add your pictures. Add your website's address or a few screenshots. Clean, full-size images work best; the video is built around them, in their colours.
3Read the plan. Van-Goh shows you the style, the shape and the music before anything is made. Change it, or press Start: it shows the price first.
4Watch it and ask for changes. Say what to change in plain words, like "slower" or "show the price earlier". Each new version takes 10 credits. Then download the MP4.

Try it on your product

Your first video is free. All you need is an email address.

Make your first video