YouTube vs Facebook: Which is the best for video marketing? (2024 Edition)
Let’s start with Youtube vs Facebook video comparison
What if I tell you – We need different video content for the different social media platforms?
Don’t believe me?
Check this out – video marketing on Facebook vs YouTube comparison for same video -> 11 unusual beaches on earth
Facebook – 61 million views
YouTube – 33k views
So, if you are creating the same content for all the platforms, it might not fetch you the desired results.
Read on to learn how Facebook and Youtube are different platforms
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The most common mistake companies make when it comes to digital video marketing is making the same video content and video marketing strategy for Facebook and YouTube.
Facebook is not competing with YouTube on video/ video marketing but in fact, complementing it. We have had some learning at VidSaga regarding digital video marketing which I am trying to give away to you.
Check out – Top 25 Global Video Marketing Disruptors
What is the user’s behaviour on Youtube vs Facebook
When someone logs in on YouTube, she is mentally prepared to watch video content so she puts on her earphones, has generally a suitable place and has some time (10 – 15 min) to consume content.
But this is not the case with Facebook. When someone logs in on Facebook, he is not mentally prepared to watch video content but then a video with a catchy headline, thumbnail, and description catches his attention or he sees many of his friends sharing the same content piece.
He clicks on it out of curiosity but is now caught off guard. He might not have earphones handy or he might not be at a place where he can switch on his speakers and he might not have that much time to consume a lengthy video. So what he does – he may save it for the future or may decide to watch it anyway, maybe muted.
A Youtube video view is counted after 30 seconds of a person having watched it. The views will be further frozen to check whether the video views are authentic or not.
While Facebook video view is counted just after 3 seconds of watching the Facebook video.
Main Difference between Facebook and Youtube
The DNA of Youtube and Facebook are different. Youtube is a video hosting platform which is run by its parent organization – Google (Alphabet)
Google’s DNA is searched and hence the same DNA is applicable to Youtube. What this essentially means is that the videos which we create are properly ‘searchable’
Where is Facebook is a ‘video also’ sharing platform and its DNA is ‘virality’. In fact we need Facebook only to make ‘Youtube videos’ viral. Having said that, the problem with Facebook is that it is difficult to search for a particular video
So which platform is best for which type of videos?
Youtube – Create video content with a Long term strategy. Create awesome videos, add value to your audience’s life, gain subscribers over a period, and build your channel and video marketing.
Facebook – Snackable video which can be consumed and shared with your network.
Learn from Video Marketing experts
What is YouTube from a Video Marketer’s POV?
Consider Youtube as an extended Blog section where you specifically publish video content.
So whatever content is working for you for the Text blog, we can create a video out of it.
The important thing to remember is to do proper YouTube SEO so that Google can show your video for appropriate search queries and it helps in your Youtube video marketing.
What are the ways a YouTube video can be seen/ viewed
– If someone makes a search (Google’s DNA) – The same SEO concept is applicable
– If you have a good subscribers base (Unlike FB, everyone gets a notification)
– Influencer Marketing – Influencers/ Celebrities with a good no.of followers share it in their network
– Paid Promotion on YouTube and other platforms
“Why YouTube is not for short term? – Because we can not buy subscribers or accelerate the process of getting the subscribers”
How Facebook has positioned itself differently?
Facebook identified this gap and made its platform for short-term strategy. Consider it more like a media platform like TV. We can promote our video to our audience in a more targeted way.
The shelf life of a video on FB is 2-3 days and then it’s gone, you can not search for it (unless someone specifically visits the video section of your page) but at the same time, this time window is also enough if you promote it effectively.
Facebook gives you the option to buy page likes, video promotion cost effectively etc.
Tips for Facebook Video Marketing
Facebook is all about sharing content with your friends. So we need to create that content which compels people to share.
Easy, right? Ok, let me share a couple of ideas regarding Facebook video marketing strategy
- Create a video on a person’s characteristics. For example, if you are into the business of ‘Food’, create a video on ‘Foodie’ and ask people to tag their ‘Foodie’ friend
Check out this video
https://www.facebook.com/mymagicpin/videos/1784803041834494/?v=1784803041834494
2. Listicles Videos
It’s normal human behaviour to rate things. We all have the curiosity to know the Top 10 Hotels in the world, the Top 10 beaches in the world etc. And like Myths vs Reality videos, it can get a pass on.
Some Technical things to remember for Facebook video vs Youtube
- The majority of people watch a Facebook video without sound, so either create a video which can be understood without audio or add subtitles to the video
- As most people browse Facebook while they are on micro-break, keep the duration as short as possible. Ideally should be less than 60 seconds
- Add a good Thumbnail for the video
- Add a personalised description
Conclusion
Our aim to write this article was to establish the fact that we should not create the same video content strategy for both platforms. There is a fundamental difference between the 2 platforms and we should consider that.
We can share youtube videos on Facebook but we can’t share Facebook videos on youtube. This a simple and obvious fact but often forgotten while creating a social video marketing strategy.
Hope it is useful. Let us know if you have any comments/ feedback at team(at)vidsaga(dot)com
About Vidsaga
Vidsaga is a global market place with decision making tools enabled to help Organizations to create videos easily, efficiently and cost effectively.
