So this is good news for marketers when they capture a spontaneous moment for a brand, or that receive user generated video content, and then realise whoever filmed it forgot to tilt their phone horizontally (argh!). From Digiday:
Yesterday, the platform released updates for iOS and Android devices that plays vertical videos full screen — which is how Snapchat messages appear. Vertical videos were previously shrunk and bordered with two black bars creating a less than desirable viewing experience. (A before and after can be seen below.)
YouTube’s endorsement of vertical videos is a big deal. Despite some pleas from the Internet, people will instinctively shoot video vertically instead of awkwardly flipping their phone horizontally. The vertical video revolution is being pioneered by Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel who is emphasizing the format claiming that people are nine times more inclined to engage with vertical videos than horizontal videos.