The Best Video Format for Instagram

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Even though Instagram started off as a photo-sharing app, it has eventually evolved into a much more advanced platform and now includes video content in the form of Instagram stories, posts, ads, and its new video content feature, IGTV.

Posting videos on the platform also requires more consideration than just uploading any video recording you have. For brands and businesses, your videos must be a fun and effective way to expand your reach, create awareness, and generate conversations amongst your audience. Even so, you should learn the most efficient way to upload a video, ways that you can increase video quality, as well as the right formats and practices for posting.

What is the best IG format you should use?

You can upload videos to Instagram in multiple formats, but mileage may vary depending on your choices. To get the best results, make sure your video is in an MP4 format. The format should include these technical specifications:

• H.264 Codec
• 03 500 kbps bitrate for video
• AAC Audio
• A frame-rate of 30 fps (frame per second)
• Maximum video width is 1080 pixels wide
• Maximum file size of 15 MB
• The video must be a maximum of 60 seconds

The best IG video size and dimensions

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With Instagram’s design and hard limits on the dimensions of the media that are uploaded to their platform, certain sizes and dimensions will be altered or compressed, which will affect your video’s quality. To make sure to get the best size and dimensions, make your videos 864 pixels wide by 1080 pixels tall, with an aspect ratio of 4:5. Widescreen videos might look great on YouTube or Facebook, but on Instagram, most users are on mobile, which makes sense if it maximizes the vertical dimensions of your phone.

How to increase video quality on IG

With its dimension restrictions, Instagram video isn’t easy to work with. Instagram has made it known that to get the best video quality, you will need to optimize the video perfectly before posting. Make sure you follow these quick tips to get the best results:

• Connect to Wi-Fi when posting on Instagram
• Double-check your video dimensions and specifications to get the best fit.
• Use the best quality camera to increase your resolution and quality.
• To get better results, upload your files to Google Drive or Dropbox before transferring onto Instagram.
• Edit your videos with the proper settings in mind.

One common mistake is to compress videos to help speed up the upload process. Some methods of file transfer compress the videos to help optimize the file, which ends up killing the quality of your video by the time it gets posted from your phone. To ensure that you are uploading the highest possible quality video on Instagram, avoid taking shortcuts — use the best possible camera you have, uploaded on a solid and fast Internet connection, use the right video settings, and have a lot of patience. Take your Instagram videos from okay to great and unforgettable!