Why Vertical Video Helps on LinkedIn (And How to Get Started)

If you've opened LinkedIn lately, you've noticed something different. There's a dedicated video tab now. LinkedIn is pushing vertical video harder than they've ever pushed any format. And the early results are clear -- creators who lean into it are getting significantly more reach.

I've been experimenting with vertical video on LinkedIn for several months now. I'm convinced it's the biggest opportunity on the platform right now. Here's why it works and how to start without overthinking it.

LinkedIn Is Betting Big on Video

LinkedIn built a TikTok-style scrollable video feed right inside the app. That's not a small move. That's a massive strategic bet.

And when a platform invests this heavily in a new format, they do everything they can to make it succeed. Algorithmic preference for video content. Dedicated real estate in the app. Broader distribution for early adopters.

We've seen this playbook before. When LinkedIn launched native documents and carousels, early adopters got huge reach. When they pushed newsletters, early creators got promoted aggressively. Vertical video is the current growth format. The window for outsized returns is open right now, but it won't stay open forever.

Why Vertical Works Better Than Horizontal

This isn't just a trend. It reflects how people actually use LinkedIn.

Over 60% of LinkedIn usage happens on mobile. When someone scrolls their feed on a phone, vertical video fills the entire screen. Horizontal video? Awkward black bars above and below, competing with everything else in the feed for attention.

Full-screen content is harder to scroll past. It's immersive in a way text posts and horizontal video can't match. When your face fills someone's screen and you're talking directly to them, the connection feels personal and immediate.

And vertical video signals authenticity. It looks like something shot on a phone -- because it usually is. In a professional context where polished corporate content often feels hollow, that raw, personal quality actually builds trust faster than a slick production ever could.

The performance advantage

Creators who've gone all-in on vertical video are seeing real results. Higher impression counts than their typical text posts. Strong watch time, comments, and shares.

Part of that is the algorithmic boost. LinkedIn wants the video feed to succeed, so they're distributing video content more broadly than other formats right now. Simple as that.

But part of it is genuine user preference. Video communicates nuance, personality, and emotion in ways text just can't. When a founder shares a lesson on camera, you hear their tone, see their expression, feel their conviction. That builds relationships faster than even the best-written post.

Watch time is also a really powerful engagement signal. When someone watches 45 seconds of your 60-second video, LinkedIn treats that as strong engagement and pushes the content further. It creates a positive feedback loop that's much harder to achieve with text, where engagement is limited to likes, comments, and shares.

How to Get Started (Without a Production Budget)

The biggest mistake people make with LinkedIn video? Overthinking it. You don't need a camera crew. You don't need a ring light. You don't need a video editor.

Here's what actually works:

Use your phone. Any modern smartphone camera is more than good enough. Shoot vertical and you're set.

Find good lighting. Face a window. Natural light is the most flattering light source and it's free. Just don't put a window behind you -- that'll put your face in shadow.

Keep it short. 30-60 seconds for most content. You can push to 90 seconds for more complex topics, but shorter almost always wins. If you can't say it in 90 seconds, it's probably two videos.

Add captions. A ton of LinkedIn users watch with sound off, especially during work hours. Captions make your content accessible to everyone. Most phones have built-in captioning, and free apps can generate them automatically.

Start with one take. Don't over-script it. Know your one key point, hit record, deliver it, stop. A slightly imperfect one-take video feels more real than something heavily rehearsed.

Batch your recording. Set aside 30 minutes once a week to record 3-5 short videos. Change your shirt between takes if you want them to look like different days. Schedule them throughout the week. Consistent video content, zero daily effort.

What to Talk About

The content that works in video is the same stuff that works in text posts -- just delivered differently. A few formats that do really well:

One key insight. Share a single lesson, tip, or observation. "The biggest mistake I see startups make on LinkedIn is..." Works because it's focused and easy to digest.

Quick reaction. React to industry news, a trend, something you observed. Timeliness makes these feel relevant and current.

Behind the scenes. Show something from your work that most people don't get to see. A product demo, a team meeting moment, a whiteboard sketch. Transparency builds connection.

Storytelling. Tell a short story. A customer interaction, a failure you learned from, a decision that worked out. Stories are inherently more engaging than advice.

Video Complements Written Posts -- It Doesn't Replace Them

Important point: vertical video should be part of your LinkedIn strategy. Not your whole strategy.

Written posts still work. They still reach big audiences. And they have real advantages -- they're easier to skim, easier to search, easier to reference later. They're better for detailed frameworks, data-heavy insights, and nuanced arguments. Not everything needs to be a video.

The sweet spot is a mix. Post written content 2-3 times per week. Add 1-2 vertical videos on top. Video reaches people who prefer watching. Written posts serve the readers. Together, you cover more of your audience than either format alone.

If you're already using TeamPost to schedule your written LinkedIn posts, adding video is as simple as recording a few clips each week and publishing them alongside your regular content.

The window is open now

LinkedIn's vertical video push is still new. The platform is actively rewarding early adopters with increased distribution. In six months or a year, when the feed is saturated, the algorithmic advantage will shrink.

Right now, the bar is low and the rewards are high. Most LinkedIn users haven't posted a single video. The creators who start now -- even with imperfect, phone-shot content -- will build an audience and comfort level that gives them a lasting edge.

You don't need perfect lighting. You don't need a script. You don't need editing skills. You need a phone, a quiet room, and something worth saying. Start this week.

Also read: why raw photos outperform polished graphics on LinkedIn and how original posts crush reposts in the algorithm.