Does looping video boost viewers on TikTok as well as Instagram?

The majority of people cannot get onto -- or out of TikTok in general- without heading down a rabbit hole of endless entertainment. Looping videos, AKA short video clips on autoplay, make it all the more effortless to play over and over again.

It's a great opportunity for marketing who want to increase engagement. But knowing when to publish videos loops to TikTok or Instagram can be a challenge. What do you determine if your content is right for a video loop? And does it even affect video views or participation?

In this article

1.    What does a looping video mean?
2.    Does looping a video boost views?
3.    Three reasons to think about looping your videos
4.    Commonly asked questions regarding looping videos
5.    Connecting it all

What is a looping video?

A looping video is a video that repeats itself automatically. It may be as simple as comical gifs or more such as a step-by step recipe. Videos autoplay and play continuously until the user is able to interact with the new video (or remains on an endless loop).

It is possible to loop video clips that repeat completely or part, based on the platform's requirements and the content's goals. You can, for instance, opt to just loop the relevant portion of the video, or repeat a video to maximize your reach.

Can looping videos increase viewers?

Videos that are short-form typically are able to have greater watch-time as compared to longer videos. Videos that loop play into this desire for shorter content by automatically repeating the exact same video over and over.

Every time a video loops, it counts as a new view. These views continue to compound and boost your overall view count--if one video repeats itself three times in only one person, it is counted as three separate views.

Derick Rhodes, VP of Industry & Influencer Relations at , discusses that , in the eyes of the TikTok algorithm, the view count is greater than any other metrics in determining what gets shown.

"Looping videos might feel like a fad, but "completing this loop" is also the the number one measure of the success of TikTok in the moment -- even above comments or views, which have historically been the main focus."   Derick Rhodes, of Industry and Influencer Relations

Three reasons why you should consider looping your videos

Loops are a great way to enhance the amount of video views. But it should not be the sole reason for you to choose to loop videos.

Capture the user's attention

In the average, viewers watch 17 hours of online video content per week. It may seem as a lot, however most users simply go through an endless amount of videos without really engaging. TikTok and other social media platforms like Instagram move fast. You need to grab an individual's attention immediately or else you risk losing them to the infinite scroll.

Looped videos feature continuous movement which can catch a user's interest as they scroll through their feed, which makes it stand out from ordinary videos or static images.

Looping videos can also pique viewers' interest. In the event that a video loops, viewers may be intrigued to revisit it in order to find out whether they missed anything or understand the meaning better.

Numerous social media platforms, including TikTok and Instagram offer an autoplay function that lets videos play as users browse through feeds. Looped video clips make use of this feature as they automatically start playing and then stop increasing the chances of being noticed by a person.

Create a story

The ability to loop a video will help you tell a story in a brief and engaging manner. If you can repeat an important event or scene, it will enhance the story and create a lasting impression for viewers.

If you're posting content that is humorous video looping can improve the comedy of your content by repeating a funny move or action, making your video more enjoyable to viewers.

Looping is also a great option when it comes to music-related content, such as looping dance routines, music covers as well as lip-syncing videos. As 93 of of TikTokers utilize the platform with sound on, and 88 percent claim that the sound feature is "essential" to the platform, looping sounds also help in grabbing viewers' attention and getting viewers to return before moving further.

Tutorials are also great for looping formats. If the viewer fails to complete the initial step, they may continue watching the looped video in order to view the entire version.

Stick to platform-specific content requirements

If you're planning to upload a video that's shorter than the maximum playtime on a certain social media platform you could loop it to fill up the video's exposure and time. In this case, Instagram has a maximum duration of 15 seconds for Stories , and 60 seconds for the feed. If your video was only seven seconds long You could play it two times to meet the 15 second limit on a Story.

"A lot of us fall into the trap of creating one star asset only to create cutdowns for different platforms/formats, but the way that content is evolving and changing, it is crucial for creators to think about creating specific content for every platform first."

The author adds that creating native to platforms content could be a good way to improve engagement. "Calm is a meditation application, does a nice job in this regard, by creating Instagram-specific loops to allow viewers to take a few moments and breathe, rather than trying to alter a traditional ad of a :30 to function with the same app."

A lot of frequently asked questions on looping videos

 1) What's the advantages from looping videos?

Videos that loop on social media offer several benefits to marketers, including:

• Longer viewing time. Looping videos can make viewers want to stay with the video for longer as they are played automatically, without the need for users to replay manually the video. This can result in greater views and more duration of time spent watching which gives good signals to algorithmic systems that there's higher interest in the content.
• saves the time. Looping videos are generally shorter. This makes it easier for users to match social media limitations in terms of file size or length.
• Stronger message delivery. Looping videos can be helpful in conveying messages or telling stories that benefit by repetition or reinforce. It could be product demonstrations as well as tutorials or any other content that is educational.

 2.) What is the difference between a loop and a repeat?

The words "video loop" and "repeat" repetition sound alike, but they are two distinct concepts within the field of video marketing. A loop video is a type of video that plays continuously with no interruption. When the clip reaches its conclusion, it instantly restarts from the beginning making a looping playback.

Replay is usually the feature that allows a user replay a video starting from the beginning when it has reached the conclusion. Users may be required to tap an onscreen button to initiate the replay. There may be a short break or gap between replays.

3) Does looping a video boost views?

The looping of a video could enhance the number of views on popular social media sites such as Instagram and TikTok. Videos that loop can capture the attention of viewers and encourage viewers to view the video multiple times which encourages algorithms to show videos to users.

All that is needed to put it all together

Video loops can provide captivating visual moments. They're a great method to keep your viewers engaged, as well as increase the visibility of your content, its viewings, and overall involvement.

Remember that looping video clips don't assure success on social media. Prioritize creating platform-specific video content that resonates with your viewers first- that's the surefire way to win their hearts (and screens).