Social media is changing the rules of video - at least the shape of video. As more and more video is consumed in mobile devices, the shape of video is rapidly changing from traditional cinematic widescreen (16:9) to square and vertical.
Why? Research shows that people access social media on mobile devices most, and they’re holding those phones vertically 94% of the time. If you’re targeting a mobile audience, try broadcasting in square or portrait. It catches more of the mobile viewer’s attention and often outperforms horizontal video.
How to change the aspect ratio of your live broadcast
Before your broadcast begins, simply select the desired aspect ratio in the Orientation selector:
Live Video: Supported Aspect Ratios by Platform
Here’s a guide showing which aspect ratios are supported in each platform
- Landspace (16:9)
- Square (1:1)
- Portrait (4:5)
- Full portrait (9:16)
YouTube
- Landspace (16:9)
- Square (1:1)
- Portrait (4:5)
- Full portrait (9:16)
- Landspace (16:9)
- Square (1:1)
- Portrait (4:5) not supported
- Full portrait (9:16) not supported
Periscope
- Landspace (16:9)
- Square (1:1)
- Portrait (4:5) not supported
- Full portrait (9:16) not supported
Twitch
- Landspace (16:9)
- Square (1:1)
- Portrait (4:5)
- Full portrait (9:16)
Brightcove
- Landspace (16:9)
- Square (1:1)
- Portrait (4:5)
- Full portrait (9:16)
JW Player
- Landspace (16:9)
- Square (1:1) not supported
- Portrait (4:5) not supported
- Full portrait (9:16) not supported
Vimeo
- Landspace (16:9)
- Square (1:1)
- Portrait (4:5)
- Full portrait (9:16)
Summary table: