Should You Post Explainer Videos on TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube?

You’ve got an awesome explainer video—but now you’re asking the big question: where should you share it? TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube all have their perks, but each one comes with different expectations, formats, and audiences.

Let’s break down how to pick the best platform (or combination of platforms) for your explainer video and how to tweak your content for each one.

First: What’s Your Goal?

Before you hit upload anywhere, ask yourself:

• Do you want more brand awareness?

• Are you trying to drive traffic to a site or landing page?

• Is your goal to educate your current followers?

The right platform depends on what you’re hoping to achieve.

YouTube: The Long-Term Powerhouse

YouTube is where people go when they want to watch videos. That’s a major advantage.

Pros:

• Great for SEO (your video can show up in Google search results)

• Ideal for evergreen content

• Perfect for videos over 60 seconds

• Supports longer form explainers, tutorials, and product walkthroughs

Things to Consider:

• You’re competing with tons of content

• You need strong titles, thumbnails, and descriptions to get clicks

• Viewers expect a more polished production

Tips:

• Use a clickable thumbnail with a clear title overlay

• Include relevant keywords in your title and description

• Add chapters or time stamps for longer videos

Instagram: Quick, Visual, and Feed-Friendly

Instagram is a great spot for short, eye-catching clips. Think of it as a highlight reel for your brand.

Pros:

• Huge audience, especially for visual brands

• Great for teasing or previewing your full explainer

• Easy to turn your video into Reels, Stories, or feed posts

Things to Consider:

• Most videos need to be under 90 seconds (Reels)

• Auto-play is muted, so captions or bold text are key

• Audience expects vertical or square format

Tips:

• Add text overlays so people can follow without sound

• Use trending audio if it fits your brand (especially for Reels)

• Keep your message tight and visually punchy

TikTok: Fast-Paced and Algorithm-Driven

TikTok is a discovery engine. People don’t follow brands to watch videos—they discover videos that spark their interest.

Pros:

• Insane organic reach potential

• Great for showing personality or behind-the-scenes content

• TikTok loves short, authentic, engaging storytelling

Things to Consider:

• Keep it under 60 seconds

• Format is vertical only

• Trends move fast, so be ready to adapt

Tips:

• Hook viewers in the first 2 seconds

• Use captions and bold, short sentences on screen

• Think like a creator, not a brand ad

One Video, Multiple Platforms? Absolutely

You don’t need to create a totally new video for each platform, but you should tailor your edit.

Here’s how to repurpose smartly:

• YouTube: Full version (landscape, polished, longer)

• Instagram: Short highlight version (vertical or square)

• TikTok: Even shorter, more casual cut (vertical, conversational tone)

Use clips from your main explainer video as teaser content or bite-sized education.

A Quick Format Cheat Sheet

Final Thoughts: Go Where Your Audience Is

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. If your audience is on Instagram, meet them there. If they search YouTube for solutions, show up there. And if you’re targeting younger, mobile-first users? TikTok is where it’s at.

But don’t be afraid to test. Repurpose your explainer video across multiple platforms and see what hits. The best platform for your video is the one your audience actually watches.