In 2005, just 16% of the global population accessed the Internet. That percentage is now more than 67%. Beyond access, though, there has been a significant shift in the way Generation Z (born 1997–2012) consumes content. Long newspaper articles and one-hour movies are no longer considered the main sources of knowledge. Rather, Gen Z is reinventing how they interact with media, acquire new knowledge, and influence society through 30-second TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Customers can always rely on Siri and Alexa to deliver their pre-programmed, non-offensive life teachings. Gen Z and millennials, who find it difficult to watch longer videos, now benefit from the short form content.
While 73% of consumers like to watch shortform content videos to learn more about a product or service, 56% of marketers said that Gen Z short form video was the top trend they were considering investing in in 2025.
Keep reading and exploring to learn does short form video content convert users, why does YouTube shorty feel so different, and what content do millennials like in 2025?
Table of Contents
What is Short Form Content?
Shortform content, as the name suggests, is defined as small digital content marketing strategies meant to quickly capture the attention of the audience. Short-form content assets can be found in a variety of media, including blogs, infographics, podcasts, and videos. Each of these styles is intended to communicate a certain message in a timely and efficient manner.
Examples of short-form content include:
- Blog Posts
- YouTube Shorts
- News articles
- Emails
- Facebook Reels
- Infographics
- Instagram Reels
- TikTok Videos
Usually, the aim of shortform content is to swiftly communicate the message without burdening the user.
When combined with long-form content and a solid content production strategy, short-form content might become essential to the customer experience. From encouraging leads to read more about your business during the awareness stage to pressuring potential customers to finish the purchase during the decision-making stage, it more than deserves a place in your content marketing toolbox. That is why short form content is getting more and more popular among Gen Z and millennials in 2025.
How Did Short Form Content Become So Popular?
Short-form gained popularity after Vine, a social networking site that allowed users to post looping 6-second videos, was launched. It quickly became one of the social media networks with the quickest growth in 2013. Viners, or well-known content creators, quickly began to show up and earn money. In 2017, the app was formally shut down due to Vine’s inability to keep up with the increasing number of competitors.
Like Vine, TikTok focuses on Gen Z short form video and was as successful in its early years, with over two billion downloads worldwide. Users may select between “For You,” which shows movies based on an algorithm, and “Following,” which lets them view the videos of people they follow. TikTok is currently one of the most popular platforms for short form attention, and young people are practically dependent on it.
In a 2021 study, researchers found that youth utilize social media platforms to reduce “perceived stress.” According to the study, although these applications may momentarily lessen tension, the problem arises when users use them for prolonged periods of time, resulting in what the researchers call a “Short Form Video Application Addiction.”
TikTok’s addictive features are nothing new, but its content-based algorithm and the development of its “For You page” set it apart from its competitors. However, this time, the popularity of short form content and attention span on social media grew, and other social media platforms followed suit. Most notably, Instagram introduced video reels in 2020, which are now an essential part of Instagram’s algorithm, giving accounts that use them priority in users’ feeds and making them stand out as a separate entity independent of TikTok’s influence.
Also Read: Future of Blogging: Why Video and Visual Content Are Taking Over
What Content Do Millennials Like Vs Gen Z?
Both textual and visual data appeal to millennials, although they strongly prefer visual data. In addition to LinkedIn and Twitter, they are more likely to locate the content they are looking for on websites like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Content with a lot of descriptive info will appeal to millennials.
Conversely, Gen Z prefers information that is mostly visual and has little to no language. Their ideal content is brief, making it easy to read and comprehend. Among other short-form video apps, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat are among their favorite platforms.
Five characteristics that set millennials and Gen Z apart, as per shortform content and Attention Span:
Their Perspectives On Technology Diverge
Millennials grew up with mobile phones with small displays, DVD players, and enormous personal computers. Gen Z, on the other hand, has access to streaming services, iPads, iPhones, and limitless wi-Fi.
Gen Z is More Prone To Buy Things On Their Phones
Both Gen Z and Millennials spend time on social media and viewing videos. On average, Gen Z consumes 3.4 hours of online content every day, while millennials watch videos for 2.4 hours.
Their Choices For Internet Platforms Are Varied
Instagram is one of the social media platforms that Gen Z and millennials both prefer. However, Gen Z prefers TikTok and other short form content video networks, whereas millennials choose Facebook or YouTube descriptions.
They Have A Different Attention Span For Online Ads
Millennial-targeted marketers and advertisers can get away with a little bit of lengthier content. But Gen Z marketers might want to spread the word about their value offer as soon as feasible.
Gen Z is Probably Going To Buy Less Than Millennials
Despite being frequent internet viewers, Gen Z has less purchasing power. Unlike other millennials who have greater purchasing power, they intend to spend their money sensibly.
Why Does YouTube Shorty Feel So Different?
A fast-paced stream of vertical, under-60-second films created to elicit emotional reactions and dopamine release, YouTube Shorts seem unique because they are purposefully addicting, promoting continuous scrolling and engagement. Compared to typical, longer YouTube videos, this short-form content format produces a quick-consumption, low-commitment experience that results in higher instant engagement but worse long-term memory recall. So, is short form video editing worh it? Yes, it is really worth it in 2025, especially for Gen Z audiences who have shorter attention span.
Also Read: Content Strategist: Responsibilities And Job Description
Short Form Content And Attention Span
Gen Z has an incredible attention span of 8 seconds, compared to Millennials’ average attention length of 12 seconds. For short-form films lasting 15 seconds, this formula and setting are perfect. Users may search for more videos more quickly based on their preferences. To put it briefly, this strategy suits their lives and social media habits. Additionally, less mobile bandwidth is used when short-form videos are seen and shared on other social media platforms like WhatsApp that leads to more short form content addiction.
Having a shorter attention span has a number of drawbacks. One of the biggest problems is that it might become harder to completely captivate an audience. A person with a short attention span, for example, might not be as likely to watch a whole movie or TV show. This might lead to a decrease in the viewership for long-form content.
Additionally, shortform content has a higher risk of being inaccurate. In its quest for conciseness, shortform content may not always provide enough room for accurate and verified information. This helps incomplete facts, false information, and rumors spread quickly. Without the right context or sources, misleading information is readily disseminated and propagated, which can lead to miscommunications or even harm.
Does Short Form Video Content Convert Users?
We’ve personally witnessed how short-form video content can revolutionize a brand’s audience engagement. Anecdotally, TikTok and Instagram have helped us find some truly amazing things and fall in love with a few new businesses.
Seeing short-form material from several brands of stunning new sectionals on every platform has made me want to curl up, even though we may not need that new couch.
This format enables you to produce content and a strong short-form content strategy that connects on platforms like TikTok short videos, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, whether you’re demonstrating a product, giving a fast tip, or humanizing your business with behind-the-scenes moments.
Benefits And Drawbacks of Short-Form Content
Benefits of Shortform Content
Some of the strongest arguments in favor of short form content are as follows:
- Users might find it easier to eat.
- Mobile devices are often responsive.
- Compared to long-form content, it is easier to scale and requires fewer resources to produce.
- Its conciseness and frequent punchiness make it shareable.
Drawbacks of Shortform Content
The disadvantages of short form content include:
- It keeps you from going fully into a topic, which might lead to oversimplification or the leaving out of important details.
- If not made with a well-considered approach, it may easily become boring.
- Since it usually has a shorter shelf life than evergreen material, its significance may quickly diminish.
Conclusion
Short form content has emerged as the most popular strategy to capture the attention of this generation, with TikTok and YouTube Shorts at the forefront. Businesses that embrace authenticity, story, trends, comedy, music, and interactivity may provide interesting content that appeals to Gen Z’s interests.
Businesses can design marketing campaigns that successfully reach Gen Z viewers by using TikTok’s several features, working with the right influencers, and producing genuine, trend driven content. Comment below if you also love shortform content or any queries about the blog.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a Short-Form Content?
Due to their shorter attention spans and growing use of mobile devices, Gen Z and Millennials are drawn to short form content because it provides them with rapid, interesting, and readily assimilated information that fits with their digital lifestyles.
Why Do Gen Z Prefer Short-Form Content?
Videos under 60 seconds are preferred by 61% of Gen Z. They like exciting, fast-paced content since they grew up amid TikTok’s explosive growth.
What is an Example Of Short-Form Content Writing?
Tweets, Instagram captions, LinkedIn postings, brief blog entries, emails, product descriptions, and news pieces are a few examples of short form attention content writing.
Is TikTok Short-Form Content?
Indeed, TikTok is the top platform for shortform content. It mostly consists of user-generated films, most of which are under a minute long, but there are lengthier possibilities.