Video export settings for a social media campaign

Your video looks sharp in the editor, but the exported file appears soft, cropped, or too large to upload. A few export choices can prevent common problems, even though each social platform may compress your video and update its requirements.

Use the destination platform's current recommendations when available. The settings below are practical starting points, followed by a check of the actual exported file before you publish it.

Export a campaign video

Check the playback browser if you plan to review the export there. Open Browser Info to see which media codecs and features your browser supports. This helps explain playback issues, but it does not confirm that a platform will accept your file.
Set the frame shape for the placement. Use a vertical 9:16 canvas, such as 1080 by 1920 pixels, for full-screen phone placements. Use square 1:1 or widescreen 16:9 only when the placement calls for it. Keep important text and faces away from the edges, where interface buttons or cropping may cover them.
Choose the resolution and frame rate. For a standard HD export, 1080p is a useful starting point. Match the frame rate to your source footage, commonly 24, 30, or 60 frames per second. Avoid converting 24 fps footage to 60 fps just because the export menu offers it. The extra frames do not create new motion detail.
Choose a widely supported file type and codec. A common delivery option is an MP4 file using H.264 video and AAC audio. If your editor offers a quality or bitrate setting, try about 8 to 12 Mbps for 1080p at 30 fps, or 12 to 20 Mbps at 60 fps. These are starting ranges, not platform requirements.
Set audio and color deliberately. Stereo AAC at 48 kHz is a practical default for campaign video with music or speech. For broad compatibility, export standard SDR color in Rec. 709 unless your destination specifically calls for HDR. Check that dialogue is clear and not clipped before export.
Export a test version, then watch the exported file from beginning to end. Check it on a phone as well as your computer, and, if possible, preview it in the platform's draft or upload screen before publishing.

Choose the right export options

Vertical, square, or widescreen

Choose the shape for the specific placement, not just the shape of your original footage. A 9:16 video may fill a phone screen, while a square or 16:9 version may fit a feed or a landscape player better. If you need several versions, make a separate canvas for each one and reposition the subject and text. Do not rely on automatic cropping to keep every important detail visible.

Higher resolution and bitrate

Resolution is the number of pixels in the picture. Bitrate is the amount of video data used each second. A higher bitrate can preserve more detail, especially in fast motion or busy scenes, but it also creates a larger file. Many platforms recompress uploads, so an extremely high bitrate does not guarantee a sharper result. Start with a sensible 1080p export, then compare the uploaded preview if the platform provides one.

Frame rate and motion

Frame rate is the number of images shown each second. Matching the source footage usually keeps movement natural. A 30 fps export is a reasonable choice for footage recorded at 30 fps. If clips use different frame rates, use your editor's timeline frame rate consistently and look for uneven motion in the exported file.

Color and audio

An SDR export is usually the safer choice when your audience may watch on many types of screens. HDR can look brighter on compatible devices but may appear washed out or too dark in some playback situations. For audio, listen on headphones and phone speakers. A mix that sounds balanced on large speakers can hide quiet speech on a phone.

Fix common export problems

Fix the canvas before changing export quality. If the video has black bars or the subject is cut off, correct the project aspect ratio and reposition the clips. Raising the bitrate will not fix a crop.
Use a standard format when playback fails. If the file will not play in a browser or the upload form rejects it, try MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio. Browser codec support can vary, so a playback problem does not always mean the export is damaged.
Reduce file size without shrinking the picture first. Lower the bitrate one step and export again. Keep the same resolution and frame rate so you can tell whether the smaller file still looks good. Avoid repeatedly exporting an already compressed file.
Correct washed-out or unexpectedly dark color. Check whether the project or export is using HDR when the destination expects SDR. Set a consistent color space in the editor and review the file on more than one screen. A computer display can look different from a phone, so do not judge from one preview alone.
Check audio settings and the final mix. Make sure the export includes the intended audio track and uses a common format such as AAC. If speech is hard to hear, adjust the mix in the editor before exporting again, then listen to the new file on phone speakers.
Re-export from the original project if quality has fallen. Each lossy export can discard detail. Reopen the original edit, adjust the settings there, and create a fresh file instead of converting an already compressed export again.

Check the exported file before publishing

Watch the file from start to finish, not just the first frame. Look for missing captions, unexpected black bars, a brief flash at a cut, or a final frame that ends too soon. Check that text remains readable on a phone and that essential words are not hidden by platform interface elements.

Also confirm the video's duration, orientation, audio, and file size in the upload or draft screen. A browser's codec list can help you troubleshoot local playback, but it cannot guarantee how a social platform will process the upload. If the uploaded preview differs from your local file, compare the platform's current recommendations with the export settings and make a new version from your project.