The Best Video Marketing Channels To Grow Your Brand This Year

Video has shifted from a nice-to-have to a must-have in today’s marketing landscape. It should be a central part of any strategy. With nearly half of Gen Z and millennials turning to short-form videos to discover new products, incorporating video is crucial for boosting visibility and building brand recognition.

But now the question is, where is the best place to post videos?

I’m here to help. Here’s a list of the best vlog promotion channels for your short-form, long-form, and live videos based on ROI, engagement, and lead generation.

What are vlog promotion channels?

Vlog promotion channels are essential platforms for reaching a broader audience with your video content. While YouTube and TikTok remain top of mind, other social media platforms are rapidly evolving to capitalize on video’s growing popularity. Inspired by TikTok’s success, networks like LinkedIn, X, and Substack are rolling out new video-centric features—from dedicated feeds and algorithm updates that favor video, to expanded video ad opportunities.

With TikTok’s future in question, these platforms are seizing the chance to attract its user base—Substack’s CEO even describes it as a “liberation.”

Marketers are clearly paying attention. Our 2024 State of Video Marketing Report found that 37% of marketers view video as highly effective for achieving business goals. And looking ahead, our 2025 State of Marketing Report reveals a continued shift toward video, with a strong emphasis on short-form content due to its impressive ROI of 21.02%.

Consumer data makes it clear: investing in video is a smart move.

A Wyzowl survey found that 78% of people prefer watching a short video to learn about a product rather than reading an article or manual. Even more telling, 91% of consumers say the quality of a video directly influences their trust in a brand.

To help you produce top-notch video content, HubSpot offers an easy-to-use, AI-powered Clip Creator tool. With just a few clicks, you can generate and edit watermark-free videos tailored for your social media platforms. Already comfortable with a specific workflow? No problem—we’ve also compiled a list of the best AI video editing tools to support your next video project.

Best Channels for Short-Form Video

TikTok

Since its debut in 2016, TikTok has transformed the social media landscape, prompting platforms like Instagram and LinkedIn to double down on vertical video content to capture a share of TikTok’s massive audience.

And it’s easy to see why. According to Statista, TikTok users spend an average of nearly 44 hours per month on the app, far surpassing all other social platforms. In comparison, YouTube ranks second, with users averaging just under 25 hours per month, a little over half of TikTok’s engagement time.

While TikTok may have started as the home of viral dance trends (and those still thrive), it has evolved into a powerful marketing tool for brands that embrace creativity and authenticity, backed by numbers that speak for themselves.

Pro tip: Want to dive deeper into TikTok marketing? Check out our free marketer’s guide to TikTok to get started.

Instagram

Instagram stands out as the leading platform for video marketing, outperforming TikTok and YouTube in ROI, engagement, and lead generation. According to a Sprout Social survey, 61% of social media users turn to Instagram to discover new products.

Marketers also benefit from Instagram’s versatility. Beyond video, the platform supports a wide range of content formats—carousels, Stories, Lives, and more—making it easier to capture attention and keep audiences engaged in multiple ways.

LinkedIn

Don’t overlook LinkedIn when it comes to video marketing, especially for B2B. In 2025, Wyzowl reported that LinkedIn became the most widely used platform by marketers (though it’s worth noting that YouTube was unintentionally excluded from that survey).

Still, LinkedIn’s momentum is real. The platform has been evolving to prioritize video content, thanks to a new algorithm that favors videos over text or images. They’ve also revamped their Wire Program into BrandLink, a tool that allows advertisers to team up with trusted creators and publishers by placing pre-roll ads ahead of their video content, creating new opportunities for brand visibility and trust.

Best Channel for Long-Form Video

YouTube

When it comes to long-form video content, YouTube reigns supreme—there’s simply no other platform that compares.

Despite growing competition from TikTok and Instagram, YouTube continues to thrive. It’s not only dominating on mobile, but also claiming a significant share of TV watch time, often outpacing traditional networks like FOX, Disney, and NBC.

Thanks to its massive reach and media influence, YouTube has become a go-to platform for marketers. According to HubSpot’s 2025 State of Marketing and Trends report, nearly 30% of marketers plan to increase their investment in YouTube this year. It also ranks as the third-best platform for ROI, driven by its massive user base of 2.6 billion and robust ad targeting capabilities.

Whether you’re sharing product demos, Q&A sessions, behind-the-scenes footage, or educational content, YouTube is the ideal home for your long-form video strategy.
Pro tip: Just getting started with YouTube? Don’t miss our complete guide to creating, promoting, and optimizing your video content for success.

TikTok

Though TikTok is known for its short, snappy videos, the platform now supports uploads up to 60 minutes long – a significant leap from its original 15-second limit. Over time, TikTok has steadily increased its maximum video length: first to 60 seconds, then 3 minutes, and beyond.

Interestingly, data suggests that longer videos perform better on the platform. A study by Buffer found that videos between 1 and 10 minutes earn the most views, have greater reach, and boast longer watch times compared to those under a minute. Statista also reports that creators with larger followings typically produce longer content.

While videos under five minutes aren’t traditionally seen as long-form, TikTok’s audience – and its algorithm—appear to favor content that goes beyond quick clips, rewarding creators who take the time to tell a fuller story.

Best Channels for Live Video

YouTube Live

With its vast user base and global reach, YouTube Live stands out as a top choice for livestreaming. According to Statista, it was the most-used live streaming platform in the U.S. in 2023.

YouTube Live offers a range of interactive and monetization features, like Super Chats, Super Stickers, and membership gifting, to help creators boost engagement and earn revenue in real time.

It also delivers robust analytics, giving you insight into both live and post-stream performance. Track real-time data like concurrent viewers, chat activity, and likes, then dive into post-stream metrics such as total watch time, new subscribers, and overall engagement.

Instagram Live

Instagram Live lets you stream on the go and easily bring guests into the conversation. It’s designed for real-time interaction, with viewers able to comment, react with emojis, and purchase donation badges during your broadcast.

One of Instagram Live’s biggest advantages? Visibility. When you go live, your followers get a direct notification, increasing your chances of capturing their attention—unlike on platforms like YouTube or Twitch, where streams can easily get lost in the mix.

Facebook Live

With a vast, multi-generational user base—especially strong among millennials—Facebook Live remains a solid livestreaming option, particularly if you’re already active on the platform and have a growing community. Even if you’re starting from scratch, you can still go live from your personal profile, business page, or a group, giving you flexibility as you build your presence.

Facebook Live offers useful features like scheduled streams, live chat interaction, and the ability to edit previously recorded videos. However, be mindful of certain limitations: stream duration is capped, and monetization tools are less robust compared to platforms like YouTube or Twitch.

Want to sharpen your Facebook Live strategy? Check out our guide packed with tips to help you stream with confidence.

What About Twitch?

No conversation about livestreaming would be complete without mentioning Twitch, the largest dedicated streaming platform in the world. While it’s known for its gaming and e-sports content, some marketers have found creative ways to tap into its niche audiences.

That said, general engagement and ROI for non-gaming marketers remain relatively low. As of 2024, only 15% of Twitch content fell outside the gaming space. Still, certain industries—like music marketing—are seeing potential.

According to Billboard, marketers in 2025 have been partnering with top Twitch streamers, clipping highlights from streams, and repurposing them on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok to expand reach.

Navigating the world of video marketing can be overwhelming – it takes time, effort, and resources to create great content. That’s why choosing the right platform is key.

Start by exploring what other creators and brands are doing. See what resonates with you and aligns with your brand voice. Then, think about your goals – whether it’s brand awareness, engagement, or lead generation, and who you want to reach. Once those pieces are clear, you’ll have a much easier time deciding where your video content belongs.

Ready to take your video marketing to the next level? At Engage Coders, we specialize in building custom video solutions – from content creation to platform-specific strategies, livestream setups, and ad campaigns. Contact us today!