Does looping video boost the number of views on TikTok and Instagram?

A majority of users can't log on -- or off of TikTok or any other social media platform -without falling into the rabbit hole that provides endless entertainment. Looping videos, AKA short video clips that autoplay, makes it effortless to play over and over again.

This is great news for those seeking to improve engagement. However, knowing when to post videos loops on TikTok or Instagram can be a challenge. What do you determine if your content is right to be a loop video? And does it even affect the number of views and engagement?

In this article

1.    What does a looping video mean?
2.    Does looping a video increases viewers?
3.    Three reasons to think about looping your videos
4.    Commonly asked questions regarding looping videos
5.    Putting it all together

What exactly is a looping video?

A looping video is a video that plays itself continuously. It could be short like comical gifs or more such as a step-by step recipe. Videos autoplay and play continuously until the user engages in new content (or stays on an infinite loop).

Videos can be looped in complete or in a smaller amount, based upon the needs of the platform as well as your content goals. In other words, you can choose to only loop the most relevant part of the video, or repeat a video to maximize your reach.

Can looping videos increase the number of views?

Short-form videos usually have higher watch rates as compared to longer videos. Looping videos plays into this desire for shorter content because it automatically plays the same file repeatedly and over.

Each time the video loops, it counts as a fresh view. Views continue to increase and increase your views count. If a video repeats itself three times in only one person, it is counted as three distinct views.

Derick Rhodes, VP of Marketing & Industry Relations at , clarifies that in the eyes of the TikTok algorithm viewing count is more important than other metrics when it comes to deciding what is shown.

"Looping videos may be a fad, but "completing this loop" is now the metric that is the most important indicator of success on TikTok in the moment -in addition to comments and views which historically have been the main focus."   Derick Rhodes of Industry and Influencer Relations

Three reasons why you should consider looping your videos

Loops have the potential to increase your video view count. But it shouldn't be the only reason for you to choose to loop videos.

Make sure you capture the attention of your user

In the average, viewers watch 17 hours of online video per week. It may seem as a lot, however many users just browse through an endless stream of video content, but do not really engage. TikTok and other social media platforms like Instagram move fast. It is imperative to get an individual's attention immediately or else you risk losing them to the infinite scroll.

Looped videos are continuous in their motion that may catch an user's attention as they browse through their feeds, making videos stand out ordinary videos or static photos.

Videos that loop can also spark viewers' interest. In the event that a video loops the viewer may find themselves wanting by the replay to see what they missed or to understand the context better.

A lot of social media platforms such as TikTok as well as Instagram include an autoplay feature where videos start playing while users browse across their news feeds. Videos that loop make use of this feature as they automatically restart and play again, boosting the chance of catching a user's eye.

Tell a tale

A looped video can aid in telling a story in a short and compelling manner. By repeating a key event or scene, it will reinforce the narrative and create a lasting impression for the viewers.

If you're posting humorous content, looping videos can enhance the comedic timing by repeating an move or action, making the content more engaging to viewers.

Looping is also a great option for music-related content like looping dancing routines, music covers as well as lip-syncing videos. As 93 of of TikTokers utilize the platform using sound, and 88% claim that sound is "essential" for the platform, looping sounds can be another method of getting the attention of viewers and entice them to rewatch before scrolling further.

Tutorials can also be used in a loop format. If a viewer misses the initial step, they may keep rewatching the looped video until they see the complete 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 can play it in loops to increase the time and video exposure. In this case, Instagram has a maximum time limit of 15 seconds for Stories and 60 seconds for feeds. If your video is only 7 seconds long You could play it two times to meet the 15 second limit on a Story.

"A many of us fall into the trap of making one star asset only to create cuts for various formats and platforms however, as the nature of content is changing and changing, it is crucial for creators to consider making special content that is appropriate for each platform before making any."

He adds that creating platform-native content is a great method to increase participation. "Calm is a meditation application has done a fantastic job in this regard, by creating Instagram-native loops for viewers to take a moment and relax, as opposed to trying to adapt a more traditional ad of a :30 to function within the same format on the same platform."

Commonly asked questions regarding looping videos

 1.) What's the benefits of looping videos?

Looping videos on social media offer several benefits to marketers such as:

• Longer viewing time. Looping videos can draw viewers to view longer since they play automatically without requiring viewers to play the video. The result is higher view counts and duration of time spent watching which gives an indication to the algorithms to indicate that there is more interest in the video.
• Reduce time. Looping videos are typically shorter, which makes it easier for viewers to meet social media restrictions regarding file size and length.
• Stronger message delivery. Looping videos can be helpful in conveying messages or stories that profit by repetition or reinforce. This could include product demos as well as tutorials or any other instructional content.

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

A loop in a video and a repetition sound alike, but they are two different concepts in video marketing. A video loop is a video clip which plays for an indefinite time without interruption. As the loop comes to an final point, it will automatically start from the beginning making a looping playback.

Replay is usually the feature that allows users replay videos from the beginning after it reaches the end. Users may be required to tap an onscreen button to initiate the replay. There may be a short pause or gap between video replays.

3) Can looping videos boost views?

Looping a video can potentially boost views on social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. The looping of videos may grab viewers' attention and urge viewers to view the video multiple times and encourage algorithms to display the video to others.

Then putting it all together

Videos can be awe-inspiring visually-rich experiences. They're an easy method to keep your viewers interested, and could increase your content's exposure, views, and overall engagement.

Remember that looping videos doesn't guarantee success on social media. It is better to focus on creating platform-specific video content that resonates with your audience first -it's the most sure way to reach their hearts (and screens).