Wellness Shorts average 116% viewed: Repeat viewing makes instructional content a strong format for building trust and product consideration.

Last November, we identified 11 trends we expected to shape the business landscape in 2026. Our Trends 2026 update reveals where expectations are holding, where surprises have emerged, and what businesses should watch through year-end.

Short-form video is where social platforms are concentrating their ad innovation in 2026. Instagram is monetizing the moment after a Reel ends, YouTube Shorts earned the industry's first short-form measurement accreditation, and episodic formats are turning casual scrolling into appointment viewing. This FAQ covers the formats, inventory growth, and creative practices shaping short-form video advertising.

YouTube views rise but attention declines: Discovery isn’t turning into deeper engagement, making retention and conversions more valuable than reach.

YouTube has evolved into a sprawling advertising ecosystem that spans premium video, social, commerce, and AI. Its scale creates new opportunities, but marketers must navigate growing complexity to unlock better business outcomes.

YouTube Shorts streamlines the user experience: 2x playback, Clean Screen, and simpler feedback tools could fuel longer sessions and sharpen ad targeting.

Gen Alpha is entering its teen years just as scrutiny of social media intensifies. Their habits are taking shape amid new rules, safety concerns, and shifting expectations. And that’s creating fresh challenges for platforms, parents, and marketers.

YouTube Shorts earns MRC stamp: Shorts is the first short-form platform accredited, giving brands third-party backing on safety systems.

Meta turns Reels into series: A new feature tests episodic Reels, aiming to convert scroll-by views into repeat visits and deeper ad value.

YouTube’s long-form game: As videos more than 20 minutes long increase, algorithms and additional ad slots boost long-form appeal.

After years of uncertainty, TikTok is regaining momentum with efforts in commerce, creators, and entertainment. But rising competition, regulatory pressure, and changing user behavior threaten its next phase of growth.

Total media time is plateauing across Asia-Pacific. But mobile and video are driving digital’s continued gains as traditional media declines.

Instagram pushes into the living room: Long-form CTV plans could pit it head-on with YouTube’s cross-device dominance.

YouTube is the top platform for watching creators across every demographic of US children, according to a February report from Precisify.

Ten charts reveal where digital markets are headed as AI shapes ad trends, social and retail media take a bigger share of ad spend, and consumer adoption of AI-driven buying influences ecommerce growth.

YouTube is building an influencer engine through new discovery and paid tools that add Gemini search, bulk outreach, and channel takeovers.

YouTube tops global media with $62 billion in revenues and over $40 billion in ads, putting it ahead of Disney and legacy TV combined.

AWS' new AI tool reformats live broadcasts for TikTok and Reels in seconds, unlocking scalable ad inventory.