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You want to find out if photos vs videos for social media engagement work better in 2025. The data indicates that videos receive more likes and comments, with Instagram Reels performing the best. Here are the latest statistics:
| Content Type | |
|---|---|
| Instagram Reels | 1.23 |
| Photos | 0.70 |
| Carousels | 0.99 |
| Average Reels Rate | 3.1 – 3.2 |
You should choose between photos or videos based on your audience and the message you want to convey. The most effective strategy incorporates both types. Consider using analytics tools to test and refine your approach.
Key Takeaways
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Videos get more likes and comments than photos on social media. Make short and fun videos to get people to watch.
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Use both photos and videos in your posts. This helps your posts stay new and fun. It also makes different people happy.
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Watch how your audience acts online. Use analytics tools to see what they like most.
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Keep learning about new trends on each platform. People may like different things over time. Change your posts to keep followers interested.
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Try out your posts often. A/B testing helps you see what your audience likes best.
Social Media Engagement Trends
2025 Data Overview
There are big changes in social media engagement this year. Instagram and TikTok have lower engagement rates than last year. The table below shows how the numbers changed:
| Platform | Engagement Rate (Jan 2024) | Engagement Rate (Jan 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| | 2.94% | 0.61% |
| TikTok | 5.14% | 4.56% |
Instagram’s engagement rate went down a lot. It dropped from 2.94% to 0.61%. TikTok’s rate also fell, but it is still higher than Instagram’s. These numbers show that getting people to engage is harder now. You need to try new ways to keep your followers interested.
Video content does better than photos on most platforms. Instagram Reels and TikTok videos get more likes and comments than single images. LinkedIn users also like video more. Video posts there get five times more engagement than photo posts. This means you should think about what kind of content you share.
User Behavior Insights
People use social media differently in 2025. They scroll faster and want content that grabs their attention right away. Short videos and bright visuals work best. You should think about what your audience likes and how they want to see it.
Different groups react to photos and videos in their own ways. The table below compares video and photo engagement rates on popular platforms:
| Platform | Video Engagement Rate | Photo Engagement Rate |
|---|---|---|
| | Baseline | |
| | 5x more engagement | Baseline |
On Instagram, videos get 49% more engagement than photos. On LinkedIn, videos do even better and get five times more engagement than photos. These numbers show that using video helps you reach more people and get more reactions.
Tip: To get more engagement, use short and creative videos. Add some photos for variety, but focus on video as your main content.
Social media engagement depends on the platform and the content you post. If you watch these trends and try new ideas, you can keep your audience interested.
Photos vs Videos for Social Media Engagement
Photos: Pros and Cons
Photos are still important for social media engagement. They help you share quick messages and get attention fast. You can use photos to show products or share quotes. Photos are also good for showing events. Many brands like photos because they are easy to make and post.
Here is a table that shows how photo posts do compared to link posts:
| Metric | Photo Posts | Link Posts |
|---|---|---|
| Impressions | +114% | N/A |
| Engagement | N/A |
Photos can double your engagement and impressions. This makes them a strong choice if you want to reach more people.
But photos have some problems too. You need to keep your pictures new and interesting. If you use the same style all the time, people may get bored. Sometimes, algorithms change and your reach goes down even if your photos are good.
Here are some problems you might face with photos on social media:
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You need to keep your visuals fresh and planned.
Tip: Change your photo style often. Watch for updates in platform algorithms so you can change your plan.
Photos are best for simple messages and quick news. They help you build your brand and keep your feed busy. If you want to share big ideas, you might need more than just photos.
Videos: Pros and Cons
Videos are now the top pick for social media engagement. Videos let you tell stories and show how things work. They help you connect with viewers in a stronger way. Videos grab attention fast, especially if you show faces at the start.
The table below shows why videos work so well:
| Aspect | Insight |
|---|---|
| Face Presence | |
| Optimal Timing | Influencers should show faces at the start of a video. |
| Audience Impact | This works less for influencers with lots of followers. |
| Evidence Basis | Big studies and eye-tracking prove these results. |
Videos help you get more engagement by showing real people and feelings. They are good for explaining hard topics and keeping viewers watching longer. You can use videos to teach, entertain, or inspire your audience.
But videos have some problems too. Some videos show risky trends or unsafe actions, especially for teens. Algorithms often push viral or intense videos, which can be dangerous.
Here is a table that explains some problems with videos:
| Challenge Description | Implication |
|---|---|
| Showing dangerous trends and risky actions | More teens try harmful viral challenges. |
| Algorithms push strong emotional content | This spreads risky videos, like self-harm or stunts. |
| Teens may not see risks and feel more peer pressure. |
“Getting likes and shares can make teens forget about risks,” said one researcher. “Algorithms reward viral videos, not safe ones.”
Videos take more time to plan and edit than photos. You need good lighting, clear sound, and a strong message. If you use videos, focus on safety and positive ideas.
When you compare photos and videos, you see both have good and bad sides. Photos help you reach people fast and keep your feed busy. Videos let you tell deeper stories and get more engagement, but you must be careful about risky trends and spend more time making them. Using both photos and videos gives you the best results.
Platform Performance
Instagram: Images and Video
Instagram lets you share photos and videos. The app does not pick videos over images. It shows you more of what you like. If you watch videos, you will see more videos. If you like images, you will get more images. Videos usually reach more people than images. This is true for millions of posts. You should use both to keep your followers happy.
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Instagram changes your feed based on what you do.
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Videos often get more likes, but images still matter.
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Using both helps you reach more people.
YouTube: Video Engagement
YouTube is all about video. You can post how-to videos, short clips, or long videos. In 2025, videos that are three to five minutes long do well. They get about 43% engagement. How-to videos do even better with 74%. Short videos, like YouTube Shorts, get 5.91% engagement. Most companies look at views and watch time to see if they are doing well. You should make videos that teach or entertain. Short videos grab attention fast. Longer videos keep people watching longer.
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How-to videos get the most likes and comments.
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Short videos are good for quick ideas.
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Long videos help you connect with viewers.
Facebook, X, TikTok: Mixed Results
Facebook, X, and TikTok have different results for photos and videos. On Facebook, photos get more likes for media and nonprofits. Health and beauty brands also do better with photos. On X, nonprofits get more likes with videos, but photos are shared more. Colleges and schools find that photo posts work best. TikTok is mostly for videos, but images still matter.
| Platform | Best for Engagement |
|---|---|
| | Photos, images |
| X | Videos, photos |
| TikTok | Videos, images |
Tip: Try both images and videos on each app. Watch your likes and comments. Change your plan if you need to.
Audience and Content
Matching Format to Audience
You should know your audience before picking photos or videos. Different people like different content. Teens and young adults like short, fun videos. Older people may like clear and simple photos. If your followers want quick news, use images that stand out. If they want to learn or feel inspired, videos are better.
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Instagram users enjoy bright pictures and short videos.
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TikTok fans like fast, trendy videos.
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YouTube viewers watch longer videos with stories.
Always check how your followers react. Try both images and videos to see what they like best.
Message Complexity
Some messages are easy to share with photos. For example, a product picture or a quote works well as an image. If you want to tell a story or show how something works, use video. Videos help you share feelings and real moments. You can use video to connect with people and build trust.
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Video lets you tell stories and show behind-the-scenes.
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It helps you share feelings and make your brand real.
Using lots of colors in images can catch people’s eyes. This can make them pay more attention to your post. When people look closer, they may engage more with your content.
Pick the format that fits your message and helps your audience understand.
Resource Considerations
Think about your resources before making content. Videos take more time and work than photos. You need to plan, write, film, and edit each video. You might need special tools or help from others. Photos are faster to make and post, but you still need good lighting and editing.
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Making videos takes more steps and tools.
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You can make videos with a team, an agency, or by learning new skills.
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Photos are easier to create but still need planning.
Each platform has its own best way to post. Instagram works well with 30-second videos and bright photos. TikTok likes short, creative videos. YouTube is best for longer videos with stories. Use the right format for each app, like vertical for TikTok, square for Instagram, and landscape for YouTube.
When you match your content to your audience, message, and resources, you get better results and more engagement.
Technical and Legal Tips
Image Sizing and Cropping
You want your pictures to look good everywhere. Every social media site has its own rules for photo sizes. If you use the right size, your pictures will not be blurry or cut off. Here is a table with the best sizes for images in 2025:
| Platform | Image Type | Recommended Size (pixels) |
|---|---|---|
| | Profile Picture | 320 x 320 |
| | Cover Photo | 851 x 315 (desktop), 640 x 360 (mobile) |
| | Post Image | 1080 x 1350 (vertical), 1080 x 1080 (square) |
| | Stories Image | 1080 x 1920 |
| | Profile Picture | 320 x 320 |
| | Feed Post Image | 1080 x 566 (horizontal), 1080 x 1080 (square), 1080 x 1350 (vertical) |
| | Stories Image | 1080 x 1920 |
| | Reels Thumbnail | 1080 x 1920 |
| X/Twitter | Profile Photo | 400 x 400 |
| X/Twitter | Cover Photo | 1500 x 500 |
| X/Twitter | Post Image | 1080 x 1080 (square), 1080 x 1350 (vertical), 1600 x 900 (landscape) |
| | Profile Photo | 400 x 400 |
| | Personal Profile Cover | 1584 x 396 |
Tip: Check your pictures before you post them. Cropping them to the right size makes your feed look neat and helps your photos stand out.
Video Captioning and Rights
Adding captions to your videos helps more people watch them. Captions make your videos easier for everyone, even people who cannot hear well. You should use closed captions or fix auto captions if they are wrong. Open captions work best for Instagram Stories and Reels. If your video has no sound, write a short description so people know what is happening.
Making your content easy to access can help you get up to 15% more engagement. Do not use flashing lights in your videos, or warn viewers if you do. For livestreams, live captions are a good idea.
You need to follow legal rules when you use photos or music in your videos. Always get permission or a license for stock photos and music. All music has copyrights, so you must get rights before posting videos with music. If you use someone else’s pictures, check the license first. Learning about fair use and the DMCA helps you stay out of trouble.
Using the best ways to prepare your images and videos keeps your brand safe and helps you reach more people.
Boosting Engagement
Creation Best Practices
You can get more engagement by using smart ways to make content. Start with clear and bright visuals that make people feel something. Tell stories your followers understand. Use polls or quizzes to get people to join in. Ask your followers to share their own posts with your brand. Post when most of your followers are online for better results.
Here are some good ways to get more engagement:
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Make visuals that grab attention.
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Share stories your followers care about.
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Use polls and quizzes to get people involved.
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Show posts from your followers to build trust.
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Post when your followers are most active.
You can also use carousels, infographics, and stories to keep your feed new. Posts with pictures get more likes than just words. Contests and other fun posts help turn viewers into fans.
A/B Testing
A/B testing helps you see what your followers like best. You can test two posts to find out which one does better. Change one thing at a time, like the headline or picture. This helps you learn what works for your audience.
Start with a clear goal for your test. Pick one thing to change, then check the results. Look at likes, comments, and shares to see what works. A/B testing helps you make better posts over time.
Tip: Test your posts often to keep your plan strong and get more engagement.
Combining Images and Video
Using both images and videos can help you reach more people. Each type has its own good points. When you use both, your posts are more interesting. Visuals, like photos and videos, are important for social media. They help turn people who just look into real fans.
Many brands do well by using both images and videos. For example, Apple’s #ShotOniPhone campaign used both to get lots of likes and comments. When you use both, you can meet more needs and get more engagement.
Try using both images and videos in your next post to see which mix works best.
You get more likes and comments with videos in 2025. Short videos and interactive ones work best. Photos are still easy to make and share. Videos help you tell stories and keep people watching longer.
| Medium | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Photos | Fast, simple, easy to use | Not much creativity, lots of competition |
| Videos | Fun, interesting, people remember them | Take more time, harder to make |
Pick the apps your followers use most. Change your posts for each app and message. Use both photos and videos. Test your posts often. Be ready to change as new trends appear.
FAQ
What type of content gets the most engagement in 2025?
Videos get the most engagement on most platforms. Short, creative videos work best. You should still use photos for variety and quick updates.
Should you use both photos and videos in your posts?
Yes. Using both helps you reach more people. Some followers like photos. Others prefer videos. Mixing both keeps your feed interesting.
How long should your videos be for best results?
Keep most videos under one minute. Short videos grab attention fast. On YouTube, three to five minutes works well for deeper stories.
Do you need special tools to make good videos?
You do not need expensive tools. A smartphone and free editing apps work well. Good lighting and clear sound help your videos look better.
How can you know what your audience likes more?
Try A/B testing. Post both photos and videos. Watch which gets more likes and comments. Use analytics to learn what works best for your followers.
