LinkedIn Video Length: How Long Should Your Videos Be?
The right LinkedIn video length depends on format and goal. Data-backed breakdown of optimal duration for feed videos, ads, thought leadership, and LinkedIn Live.
The question every B2B marketer asks before posting a LinkedIn video: how long should it be? The answer depends on the format, the goal, and whether you're paying to promote it.
LinkedIn supports videos up to 10 minutes for organic posts and 30 minutes for ads. But just because you can go long doesn't mean you should. The data points to specific length ranges for each format that maximize watch time, engagement, and algorithm distribution.
LinkedIn video length by format
Each LinkedIn video format has a different optimal length. Here's what the data shows:
Feed videos (organic): 30-90 seconds
Organic feed videos compete with text posts, images, carousels, and articles for attention. Most LinkedIn users scroll through their feed quickly, especially on mobile. You have about 3 seconds to earn their attention and 30-60 seconds to deliver your message.
For awareness content (introducing a topic, sharing a quick take, promoting an event), aim for 30-60 seconds. For deeper thought leadership (breaking down a framework, sharing a case study), you can stretch to 90 seconds if the content warrants it.
Videos over 90 seconds see a sharp drop-off in completion rate. The algorithm weighs completion rate when deciding whether to push a video to more people, so a 60-second video watched to the end outperforms a 3-minute video abandoned at the 45-second mark.
Thought leadership videos: 60-120 seconds
When an executive or subject matter expert has something substantial to say, 60-120 seconds gives them enough room to develop a real point without losing the audience. This format works best from personal profiles, not company pages.
The key is structure. Open with the point (first 5 seconds), support it with evidence or an example (next 30-60 seconds), and close with a takeaway or question (final 10-15 seconds). Without structure, even a 90-second video feels like rambling.
For a full breakdown of thought leadership video on LinkedIn, read our guide on building a thought leadership video program.
LinkedIn video ads: 15-30 seconds
Paid video ads on LinkedIn should be shorter than organic content. The audience didn't choose to watch your ad; it appeared in their feed. Respect their time by getting to the value proposition in the first 5 seconds and wrapping up in under 30.
LinkedIn's own data shows that video ads under 30 seconds have the highest completion rates and click-through rates. For retargeting campaigns where the viewer already knows your brand, 15 seconds is often enough.
For full technical specs, see our LinkedIn video ad specs and formats guide for 2026.
LinkedIn Live: 15-45 minutes
LinkedIn Live is the exception to the "keep it short" rule. Live broadcasts thrive on longer, unscripted conversation. Viewers expect a different experience from live content. They're there for real-time interaction, not a polished 60-second clip.
Most successful LinkedIn Lives run 20-30 minutes. That's long enough to cover a topic in depth and take audience questions, but short enough that viewers can watch during a lunch break or between meetings.
The replay often gets more views than the live broadcast itself. When repurposing, cut the best 3-5 moments into 30-60 second clips for feed distribution. One LinkedIn Live session can produce a week's worth of feed content.
For more on live vs pre-recorded, see LinkedIn Live vs native video: when to use each.
Why the algorithm cares about video length
LinkedIn's algorithm uses several signals to decide how widely to distribute a video. Two of them are directly related to length:
Completion rate
The percentage of viewers who watch your video to the end. A 30-second video with 80% completion will generally get more distribution than a 3-minute video with 25% completion. The algorithm reads high completion as a quality signal.
This doesn't mean every video should be 15 seconds. It means every second needs to earn its place. If your video is 2 minutes, make sure 2 minutes of content is justified.
Dwell time
Total time viewers spend watching. A 2-minute video with 50% average watch time generates 60 seconds of dwell time. A 30-second video with 90% completion generates 27 seconds. The algorithm considers both metrics.
This is why very short videos (under 15 seconds) don't perform as well as you'd expect. They're easy to complete but generate minimal dwell time. The sweet spot is long enough to generate meaningful dwell time, short enough that most people finish watching.
Video length recommendations by goal
Match your video length to your objective:
- Brand awareness: 30-60 seconds. Quick, memorable, shareable. Get your name and value proposition in front of people who don't know you yet.
- Lead generation: 60-90 seconds. Long enough to establish credibility and present a CTA. The CTA should be in the post text, not the video.
- Thought leadership: 60-120 seconds. Develop a genuine perspective. Don't rush it, but don't pad it either.
- Product education: 90-180 seconds. Product demos need enough time to show real functionality. This works best with warm audiences who already know your brand.
- Community building: 15-45 minutes (LinkedIn Live). Long-form, conversational. The value is in the interaction, not the polish.
How to decide if your video is too long
Before posting, ask yourself three questions:
- Can I remove the first 10 seconds? Most videos have a slow start that can be cut. If the video still makes sense without the intro, cut it.
- Is there a section where I repeat myself? Edit ruthlessly. If you made the same point twice with different words, keep the stronger version.
- Would I watch this if someone I don't know posted it? Be honest. If the answer is no, it's either too long, too slow, or not saying anything worth hearing.
When in doubt, shorter is better. You can always go longer once you've built an audience that trusts you enough to invest the time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the ideal LinkedIn video length?
For most B2B content, 30-90 seconds. Feed videos perform best at 30-60 seconds, thought leadership at 60-90 seconds, paid ads at 15-30 seconds, and LinkedIn Lives at 15-45 minutes. Match the length to the format and goal.
What is the maximum video length on LinkedIn?
10 minutes for organic native video uploads and 30 minutes for video ads. LinkedIn Live has no hard time limit but most successful broadcasts run 20-30 minutes.
Do shorter LinkedIn videos get more views?
Generally, yes. Shorter videos have higher completion rates, which the algorithm uses as a quality signal. But total dwell time also matters, so very short videos (under 15 seconds) can underperform. The best range for views is 30-60 seconds.
Should LinkedIn video ads be shorter than organic posts?
Yes. Video ads should be 15-30 seconds because the viewer didn't choose to watch them. Organic posts can run longer (60-90 seconds) because the viewer actively stopped scrolling to engage.
