How to Create Engaging Long-form YouTube Videos

Short videos are popular on social media, but long videos are still important—especially on YouTube. From detailed tutorials to video podcasts, longer content helps build a loyal audience, increase engagement, and even appear in Google’s AI search results.

If you want to create successful long videos in 2025, here’s what you need to know.

Why Long Videos Still Matter in 2025

Three big changes are shaping YouTube’s future:

• More people use YouTube to learn: A report from Tubular Labs found that how-to videos, travel tips, DIY guides, and product reviews got 15.2% more views than the platform average in 2024. Many now prefer YouTube over Google for answers.
• YouTube is the top podcast platform: Over 1 billion people watch podcasts on YouTube each month, making it the most-used podcast service in the U.S.
• YouTube appears more in AI search results: There has been a 25% rise in YouTube links appearing in Google’s AI Overviews, especially for tutorials and product comparisons in fields like healthcare and e-commerce.

Short videos may be trending, but long-form content, podcasts, and AI-friendly videos are more important than ever. Here’s how to make the most of them in 2025.

Basic tips for long-form videos

“Educational content” has been a key part of YouTube for years.
Look at Carnegie Mellon University’s “Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams,” uploaded on Dec. 20, 2007.

Seventeen years later, this 76-minute video has earned 21.8 million views and 156,000 engagements (likes, comments, and shares).

With the increasing demand for learning content and YouTube’s role as a search engine, here are some essential tips for creating effective long-form videos in 2025:

• Define your purpose: Clearly explain the topic or problem your video will solve. What will viewers learn from watching?
• Structure your content: Plan your video with an introduction, key points, and a conclusion to ensure clarity. This helps viewers stay engaged and absorb information.
• Keep it clear and simple: Use easy-to-understand language and avoid technical jargon. Break complicated ideas into smaller sections.
• Use visuals to enhance understanding: Include relevant graphics, charts, demonstrations, or screen recordings to illustrate key points.
• Focus on audio and video quality: Ensure clear sound and sharp visuals for a professional-looking video. A good microphone and lighting setup can improve production value.
• Optimize for search: Include important keywords in your title, description, and tags to increase visibility in search results.
• Engage with your audience: Encourage viewers to ask questions, leave comments, and subscribe. Responding to comments helps build a loyal community.
• Provide useful takeaways: Summarize key points and give practical steps that viewers can apply.
• Add timestamps and chapters: Organize your video with clear sections so viewers can easily find the information they need.
• Be yourself: Show your personality and connect with your audience naturally.

How to Improve Your Video Podcast

Video podcasts are becoming a big deal. YouTube’s Global Culture and Trends report shows its growing influence. A great example is “Katt Williams Unleashed | CLUB SHAY SHAY”—this interview went viral, inspiring memes and even an SNL parody.

In 2024, the podcast hit 544 million views and 15.9 million engagements, with that episode alone getting 88.8 million views and 2.0 million engagements.

If you want your video podcast to stand out, it takes more than just basic recording. Here are some key tips to make an impact:

Choose the Right Guests & Prepare Well:

• Invite guests with fresh perspectives that fit your podcast’s theme.
• Talk to them before the interview to learn their stories and pick interesting topics.
• Ask deeper questions to encourage meaningful discussions.

Improve Video Quality with Multiple Angles:

• Use multiple cameras to capture different views and make your podcast visually engaging.
• Add B-roll footage, graphics, and on-screen text to highlight important points.
• Change up the shots to keep the video interesting.

Enhance Audio Quality:

• Use good microphones and soundproofing for clear audio.
• Edit the audio to remove background noise and improve sound balance.
• Add light sound effects or background music for a professional touch.

Break Content into Shorter Clips:

• Divide long episodes into smaller segments so viewers can watch easily.
• Create highlight clips of the best moments to share on social media.
• Use timestamps or chapter markers to help viewers navigate your video.

Engage Your Audience:

• Include live Q&A or respond to viewer comments to keep people involved.
• Build a podcast community through social media or forums.
• Ask for topic ideas from your audience to keep them engaged.

Promote Across Different Platforms:

• Use relevant keywords in your video title and description to improve search results.
• Share your podcast on social media, websites, blogs, and email newsletters.
• Partner with other podcasters or influencers to reach new audiences.

Analyze & Improve:

• Check your podcast’s stats (like watch time and engagement) to see what works.
• Ask for feedback and use it to make your content better.
• Try different styles or formats to see what your audience enjoys most.

How to Optimize Your Videos for AI Overviews

If you search “Who has the best iPhone 16 unboxing videos?”, you’ll see that YouTube plays a big role in Google’s AI Overviews.

Since Google is using more YouTube videos for tutorials and demos, it’s important to optimize your content so your videos can be featured. Here’s how:

1. Use Structured Data & Schema Markup:

• Add structured data (like how-to, video, or product schema) to help Google understand your video.
• Make sure your schema markup is detailed and accurate. Include clear steps, ingredients, or product details.

2. Improve Video Transcripts:

• Provide a clear and complete transcript for your videos.
• Use important keywords naturally—avoid stuffing too many at once.
• Make sure the transcript matches what’s being said in the video.

3. Make Your Videos Clear & High-Quality:

• Record in high resolution so visuals are sharp and easy to follow.
• Show clear step-by-step demonstrations with close-ups and annotations.

4. Use Time-Stamps & Chapters:

• Add YouTube chapters and time-stamped key moments so Google can easily pull out relevant parts.
• Give each section a clear title with keywords that describe the content.

5. Answer Questions Naturally:

• Think about what people would ask and answer in a simple way.
• Use everyday language instead of complicated words or technical terms.

6. Create Detailed & Trustworthy Content:

• Explain topics thoroughly and include expert insights.
• Use facts, examples, and trusted sources to back up your points.
• Show your expertise to build credibility.

7. Stay Consistent with Your Brand:

• Keep your messaging clear so Google knows what your content is about.
• Stick to your expertise and make sure all your videos match your brand’s focus.

8. Optimize Titles & Descriptions:

• Even with AI Overviews, your title and description still matter.
• Write engaging titles and detailed descriptions with relevant keywords.
• Use tags to help your video show up in searches.

Success Stories & AI Overview Potential:

Seeing these strategies in action helps us understand how they work. Here are some brands that are doing great with long videos, video podcasts, and AI Overview optimization.

1. Adobe (Step-by-Step Tutorials & AI Overview Potential):

   Adobe runs 20 YouTube channels filled with tutorials on their software, from beginner guides to expert techniques.

   Why It Works for AI Overviews:

   Their clear step-by-step videos on photo editing, video editing, and design make them a great fit for Google’s AI Overviews. Google prefers content that gives detailed visual explanations.

2. Lowe’s Home Improvement (DIY How-To Videos & AI Potential):

   Lowe’s YouTube channel is filled with home improvement guides, from small repairs to big renovations.

   Why It Works for AI Overviews:

   Since their content provides step-by-step tutorials with clear visuals, it’s perfect for AI Overviews—especially for DIY and home repair searches.

3. HubSpot (Educational Videos & Video Podcasts):

   HubSpot’s 11 YouTube channels share long and detailed lessons on marketing, SEO, and sales—often over 30 minutes long.

   Success Story:

   Their video podcasts, including “My First Million,” “The Next Wave,” and “Marketing Against the Grain,” feature in-depth talks with experts. This content has made HubSpot a top choice for marketing professionals and has brought in more brand awareness and leads.

4. American Medical Association (Video Podcast Success):

   The AMA uploaded 413 videos in one year, gaining 2 million views and 76,000 interactions (likes, comments, and shares).

   Success Story:

   Most of their success came from eight video podcasts, including “AMA Update” and “Making the Rounds.” These made up 92% of their videos but brought in 95% of their total views and 99% of interactions.

5. Semrush (Data-Driven Videos & AI Optimization):

   Semrush has five YouTube channels that focus on SEO and digital marketing. They post webinars and in-depth analysis videos with useful data and strategies.

   Why It Works for AI Overviews:

   Their videos answer common SEO questions, making them a good match for AI Overviews. They also use detailed transcripts and structured data, which improves their chances of being featured.

Key Takeaways

YouTube Shorts are growing fast, with over 70 billion views every day. However, that doesn’t mean long-form videos are outdated. They still play a big role in keeping viewers engaged and building a loyal audience. YouTube offers more than one way to turn viewers into a community, and both short and long videos have their place. To succeed, it’s important to understand the basics of long-form videos, improve video podcast strategies, and optimize content for AI Overviews.