For most UGC, a 15 to 30 second cut is the best default, and 60 seconds is best when you truly need a fuller demo, tutorial, or story to sell the idea.
Here’s how we think about UGC video length: short wins when the viewer already understands the category and just needs a reason to pick you, longer wins when you have to teach, compare, or handle objections. For Orlando service businesses (dentists, attorneys, pest control, lawn care), we usually film one concept and deliver multiple cutdowns so you can run the same message in different placements without re-shooting. If you’re building a library of variations, our UGC content creation service is built around that workflow.
15 seconds
Use 15-second UGC when the offer is simple and the goal is fast action: a quick problem, a quick fix, a clear next step. Think “3 signs you need termite treatment” or “whitening before-and-after in one visit.” You have no room for backstory, so lead with the punchline, show the result early, and keep on-screen text tight. If you want hook ideas that fit this length, see what a hook is in UGC videos.
30 seconds
30-second UGC is the sweet spot for most paid and organic uses because it lets you add one extra layer: what it is, how it works, and why it’s worth it. This is where product demos, quick routines, “here’s what happened” mini stories, and simple FAQs perform well. For local lead gen, 30 seconds is enough time to add trust fast (license, location, what to expect) without turning it into a lecture.
60 seconds
60-second UGC works when your customer needs context: a step-by-step, a comparison, a more detailed before-and-after, or a “day in the life” that shows process and proof. It’s also useful for retargeting, landing pages, and Amazon style videos where shoppers are already leaning in. The risk is pacing, if the first 2 seconds do not grab attention, the rest does not get watched.
| Length | Best for | What to include | Common pitfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15s | Top-of-funnel attention, simple offers, fast scroll placements | Hook in first 1 to 2 seconds, one benefit, one CTA | Too much setup, no result shown |
| 30s | Most UGC ads, product demo, local service explainer | Hook, problem, solution, proof cue, CTA | Talking without showing, weak CTA |
| 60s | Tutorial, comparison, objection handling, landing page support | Clear steps, captions, b-roll, proof, CTA near the end | Slow pacing, repeating the same point |
A practical way to pick: start with a 30 second master edit, then cut it into 15 seconds by removing steps, and build a 60 second version by adding proof and detail, not by talking longer. That’s also how we prep creative for campaigns managed through our PPC services, because different audiences need different depth.
If you’re also trying to get the format right for each platform, our guide on the best aspect ratio for UGC pairs nicely with length decisions, since framing affects how fast the message lands.
