Scroll-Stopping Content: 10 Video Types That Dominate Social Media

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As of January 2026, there are over 56.2 million active social media users in the UK, and the number is just growing rapidly.

Nearly every business, including yours, is using Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, and other social media platforms to strengthen their presence digitally.

But which content format is your target audience engaging with the most on these platforms?

The answer is videos (this is probably the same for you too)!

The average person spends about 100 minutes per day watching online videos.

But what types of videos are relevant in today’s social media landscape?

And more importantly, which types will work best for your brand?

Let’s explore that together.

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Best 10 Social Media Video Types You Can Use

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When going through the web looking for different types of social media videos that can be used for a brand, you might get lost and struggle to find the relevant solution.

But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

With years of experience in the video creation and marketing business, we know what works (and what doesn’t) for a professional brand, no matter the niche they are in; we’re the pros after all!

Take a look at these top video types.

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1. How-to videos

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At some point in your life, you’ve probably searched for how-to videos to learn a skill or perform a task.
These videos are perfect for teaching your audience something new. If your products and services require your target audience to be updated with information, you can’t ignore how-to videos on your social media platforms.

Whether it’s a simple recipe or a complex DIY project, how-to videos and tutorials are highly engaging and incredibly useful.

For example, Grey Goose Vodka uses quick how-to videos to show viewers how to make refreshing cocktails. These videos make the learning process both enjoyable and easy to follow.

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2. Launch videos

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If you have something new to offer, launch videos are the perfect format to post for your social media. They grab the attention of your target audience, highlighting your new product or service to generate traction.

A carefully planned and executed launch video can generate excitement and drive interest for your business.

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3. Giveaways videos

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Are you looking to improve your engagement across social media platforms? Irrespective of the platform you choose, giveaway videos can help you hook your existing audience and connect with the right potential prospects.

You can create different challenges in these giveaway videos to turn your viewers into your brand ambassadors. Your giveaway videos should explain the challenge rules and showcase the prize, so your audience gets excited to participate.

NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series uses contest videos to invite musicians to submit their performances. This has resulted in a tonne of user-generated content and increased engagement.

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4. Promotional videos

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Who doesn’t love a good deal?

Chances are that your potential customers may purchase your product or service if you offer them a great price.

Instead of just using static posts to promote your offer, you can create vibrant videos that highlight your discounts and deals.

Take inspiration from Burt’s Bees on how they effectively use promotional videos to showcase their products while offering special deals. This makes the promotions more appealing.

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5. Live videos

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Conducting live videos with your viewers is one of the most underrated tactics used by brands. But it’s a great way to engage with your hard-core fans.

You can make announcements, demonstrate products, or simply interact with viewers. Using live videos on Instagram or Facebook also creates a sense of immediacy and transparency.

Agorapulse provides a great example of using live videos. They share timely updates and engage directly with their audience, making interactions more dynamic.

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6. User-generated videos

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If you want to boost your credibility and trust among your viewers, you can rely on UGC videos.

They are a goldmine for your social media game.

On top of that, they are authentic and require minimal effort from you. You can encourage your customers to create content using your products and share it on their social media with your branded hashtags.

Look at Huda Beauty as an example, and see how they repost videos from users showing off their makeup looks.

It doesn’t get easier than that!

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7. Behind-the-scenes videos

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Everyone loves a good behind-the-scenes look!

Scratch that itch. You can satisfy your audience’s curiosity by giving them a sneak peek of your office, packaging, or other operations.

A glimpse into your company’s inner workings or even just a fun day at work can add an advantage to your social media presence, showcasing that you are not a faceless corporate brand but have real humans helping the target audience.

For example, Somisomi, which is a soft-serve company, uses behind-the-scenes videos to share how they create their delicious treats. This makes the brand more relatable and trustworthy.

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8. Product videos

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Make your products stand out from the crowd on social media.

With the reduced attention spans of modern customers, it’s important for you to create interesting and engaging product videos to hook the viewer right away!

Sprinkle the magic using your product videos to creatively highlight what makes your products unique.

GoPro is the perfect example you can draw inspiration from. They don’t just show the product—they tell a story with it, making the video content engaging and subtly promotional.

After all, a great story can maximise the impact you want to create.

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9. Informative Videos

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Delivering value through your videos can really build long-term relationships with your audience on social media.

You can also stand out from the rest by delivering valuable information to your audience in a way that's engaging and easy to understand.

By regularly sharing insightful content, you build trust and establish your brand as a reliable source of information.

A great example is Vox, which takes complex topics and turns them into easily digestible videos on their social media pages.

To ensure your audience stays engaged, consider adding captions for those who watch without sound.

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10. Interviews and Q&As

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Interviews and Q&A sessions are fantastic for connecting with your audience and providing valuable insights.

You can interview industry experts, team members, or even customers to share their perspectives.

This can position you as a thought leader in your niche, and people will look forward to what your brand has to say about the latest trends in the industry.

Mix it up by preparing questions yourself or gathering them from your audience.

Simply thrilleddoes this well with their interview videos, where they ask key questions to industry leaders.

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Simply Thrilled Has You Covered

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Now that you have sorted your social media video types, it’s time for you to finalise who will create content on your behalf. That’s where we come in...

We, at Simply Thrilled, are a multi-platinum award-winning video production agency.

We have years of experience helping brands strengthen their social media presence.

With over 53 million views online, our digital footprint is as deep as it is wide, and with 2000+ TV broadcasts to our name, our reach stretches as far as the eye can see.

We handle all planning and execution aspects of your social media marketing strategy, ensuring you achieve your desired engagement with powerful content.

So, what are you waiting for?

Contact our team to discuss your requirements and transform your social media presence like never before.

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