Top Interesting Short Form Video Trends to Watch in 2026

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In today's digital world, short-form video has become the center. Below, every brand and creator you can think of (and many you can't) are adopting interesting short form video trends to reach more users in less time. Platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts have forever altered how we watch, create, and share content. These short-form video trends are shaping the future and pushing brands to think fresh and fast.

Short-form video trends will only get stronger as we head into 2026. With short videos now the strongest way to grow online, new tools, new formats, and smart technologies like AI is your best ally.

In this post, you'll discover the interesting short form video trends, why they've taken off, and how to leverage them for even bigger branding!

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What Makes Short-Form Videos So Popular Today?
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Short videos are not only easy to watch but also easy to recall and share. That is why short-form video trends are taking off so quickly.

The reasons for their popularity are as follows:

• Short videos are efficient, and people complete them quickly.
• They have great visuals, music, and movement that keep you focused.
• The algorithm favors short videos.
• Short videos are an ideal format for both newcomers and established creators.

For these reasons, all businesses and influencers in 2026 must follow the latest short-form video trends.

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Top Short-Form Video Trends Dominating 2025
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Before we peek ahead to 2026, let's review the interesting short form video trends that defined 2025:

• Clips running 15–30 seconds became the most successful format.
• The fast cuts and fast storytelling earned it attention.
• Voiceovers, mundane moments, and day-in-my-life clips went viral.
• Creative transition moves were a leading trend in short-form video.
• High-octane music got people to share and engage.

These trends are now the foundation for the patterns that will rule short-form video in 2026.

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Vertical-First Content: Why It's Popular
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Vertical orientation is the new normal. Most people hold their phones vertically, so platforms favor vertical-first content.

Vertical-first formats dominate because:

• They're fit for the natural way mobile devices are held vertically.
• They occupy the entire screen and increase engagement.
• They rise in visibility amid trends in short-form video.
• They tell better stories with tight shots of people's

Brands that lean into vertical videos are netting more views, clicks, and followers from powerful short-form video trends.

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Trends in Instagram Reels, TikTok & YouTube Shorts

These three platforms are now dominating the short-form video trend world, and each has its new updates and form of style:

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Instagram Reels Trends
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• Aesthetic transitions
• Product mini-reviews
• Relatable lifestyle clips
• Trending audio remixes

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TikTok Trends
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• Funny skits
• Duets and stitches
• Educational micro-learning
• Dance and challenge trends

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YouTube Shorts Trends
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• Behind-the-scenes (BTS)
• Story-based short videos
• Mini tutorials
• Repurposed long-form clips

Creators and brands have different relationships with these platforms, but all depend on short-form video trends for growth.

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AI-Powered Short-Form Video
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The No. 1 change in short-form video trends for 2026 will be AI. Now, through AI tools and resources, creators can:

• Generate quick scripts
• Auto-edit videos in seconds
• Add subtitles automatically
• Improve sound, colour, and lighting
• Create AI voiceovers and avatars

Meanwhile, artificial intelligence has made producing short videos easier, cheaper, and more automated. This new form of the short-form video, driven by AI, enables beginners to easily create high-quality content.

AI not only empowers creators. It is defining the direction of all short-form video trends.

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The Power of User-Generated Short Videos
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One of the most significant short-form video trends is user-generated content (UGC). Rather than brands making every video themselves, customers make videos featuring their products.

UGC is effective because it seems honest, real, and trustworthy. We are always generally morons:

• Reviews
• Unboxings
• Tutorials
• Before-and-after videos

This also helps brands achieve scale (i.e., reach more people) without spending a whole lot of money. UGC is now a central trend in short-form video for businesses of all sizes.

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Short-Form Video Ads: What's Good for Brands

Short-form video ads are doing better than anything else. Brands favor short videos in 2026 because:

• They deliver the message quickly
• They appear natural and complement the content consumption trends
• You can buy them for less than long-form ads

The top-performing short-form video ads are:

• A catchy hook from the first 2 seconds
• Clear visuals
• Simple text overlays
• Real people using products

To win at short-form video marketing this year, brands will need to keep up with short-form video trends and create ads that feel homemade and authentic.

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How Creators Use Trends to Go Viral Faster
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Every day, creators learn the ins and outs of popular short-form video to figure out what actually works. They follow these tips:

• Jump on social media video trends early
• Use trending music
• Develop content around what's viral
• Post consistently
• Write powerful captions and text-overs

Creators who respond to the latest short-form video trends grow faster because social platforms tend to reward fresh, trendy content.

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Key Metrics to Track in Short-Form Video Performance
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It's the brands and creators who track in attempting to boost their performance:

• Ratings — the number of people who watched the video, and how frequently it shows up in users’ feeds.
• Watch time — the amount of time viewers spent watching, which reflects how interesting and relevant the content is.
• Engagement rate — likes, comments, and shares that indicate how engaged the audience is in the video.
• Retention – the number of viewers who also finish watching and continue until your video ends, which shows an overall impact.
• Conversion – clicks, visits, and sales processed directly through the video.

Tracking these numbers can help brands figure out which vertical video trends resonate with their audience, which types of content are effective at holding attention, and which videos actually drive tangible results. 

By monitoring these metrics, brands can become more informed and tactical in their decision-making, improve future videos, and focus on creating engaging content that resonates across platforms.

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What are the trending videos right now in 2026
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The following are some of the hottest short-form video trends anticipated to take off in 2026:

• Editing and storytelling powered by AI – Creators will craft videos faster, draw on AI for fast-paced content ideas, and build smarter story flows.
• Interactive mini-series – Audiences will interact with polls, choose-your-own-adventure elements, and tappable elements.
• Targeted video recommendations – Platforms will serve up highly personalised content based on user activity.
• Mini-series and episodic storytelling – Shorter documentaries will grab viewers and make them come back for more.
• More Powerful UGC for Brand Marketing – Brands will need more user-generated videos to build trust.
• 360-degree short videos – Compelling clips will make users feel more immersed in the content.
• Short video search engine optimisation (SVSEO) – Creators will optimise their captions and keywords so their videos are displayed when users on a platform search for matching terms.
• Ultra-short 5–8 second clips – Quick, punchy films will succeed because of people's attention spans.
• Silent storytelling for viewers watching without audio — Creators will use captions, expressions, and visuals to tell stories quietly.

These new short-form video trends will impact how creators and brands create content.

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How Brands Can Adapt to Evolving Short Video Behaviours
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Such is the pace at which short-form video trends are evolving, and brands follow these steps to keep up:

• Create more vertical videos
• Leverage AI for better results
• Work with UGC creators
• Use trending music and formats
• Post regularly - at least 3–5 times a week
• Keep videos short, sweet, and simple
• Focus on short video storytelling

Brands that cater to these short-form video trends will see greater engagement, higher visibility, and faster growth.

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Conclusion
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Short-form videos are the future of social media in 2026. They are quick, vibrant, and snappy. Trends in the world of short-form video change every day, you know: AI and UGC, vertical-first content, and new platform features.

The companies that grasp these trends can grow faster, connect with more people, and build strong digital visibility.

At Simply Thrilled, we help brands create great short videos that reflect the latest short-form video formats. Our artists will use intelligent tools, new ideas, and working initiatives to make your videos more engaging. Whether you're geared for the viral potential of shorts, strong brand storytelling, or powerful UGC-style clips, Simply Thrilled can help your brand shine in 2026 and beyond.

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FAQs
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1. Why are short videos so powerful today?

Short videos are fast, fun, and easy to watch. They allow brands and creators to reach more people in less time.

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2. What are the best platforms for short-form videos in 2026?

Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts continue to be the big platforms for short video trends.

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3. How can brands use AI for short-form videos?

Brands can employ AI for editing, captioning, voiceover, ideation, and improving video quality.

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4. What is the next big short-form video trend in 2026?

AI video creation, UGC, and vertical-first content reign supreme.

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5. How does a brand create viral short-form videos?

Post frequently, follow trending audio, use quick hooks, and create easy-to-understand content that appeals to people.

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