Introduction
Exporting videos correctly ensures your content looks its best across different platforms while maintaining manageable file sizes. Each social media platform and video hosting service has specific requirements and recommendations for video formats, resolutions, codecs, and bitrates. Understanding these specifications prevents quality loss, upload failures, and viewer frustration. This comprehensive guide covers export settings for major platforms, helping you deliver professional-quality content consistently.
Understanding Video Export Basics
Video export involves encoding your edited timeline into a single video file using specific compression settings. Key export parameters include codec (compression method), resolution (pixel dimensions), frame rate, and bitrate (data rate). These settings balance quality against file size. Higher quality settings produce larger files requiring longer upload times but display better visuals. Understanding these fundamentals helps you optimize exports for specific platforms and purposes.
Codec Selection
H.264 remains the most universally compatible codec for online video, supported by virtually all platforms and devices. This codec provides excellent quality-to-file-size ratios perfect for web distribution. H.265 (HEVC) offers better compression but with limited compatibility on older devices. For professional archiving, ProRes or DNxHD codecs preserve maximum quality but create enormous files unsuitable for direct upload. Use H.264 for nearly all web and social media exports unless specific requirements dictate otherwise.
YouTube Export Settings
YouTube recommends H.264 codec with AAC audio, MP4 container format, and resolutions up to 4K (3840×2160). For 1080p content, export at 1920×1080 resolution with 8-12 Mbps bitrate for standard content or 12-15 Mbps for high-motion content. Use frame rates matching your source footage (24, 30, or 60fps). YouTube accepts files up to 256GB and 12 hours duration. Export in the highest quality your source footage supports, as YouTube’s compression will reduce quality during processing.
Instagram Feed and IGTV Settings
Instagram feed videos support both square (1:1, 1080×1080) and vertical (4:5, 1080×1350) formats, with maximum 60-second duration. Export using H.264 codec with 5 Mbps bitrate for optimal quality within Instagram’s compression. IGTV accepts vertical videos up to 60 minutes, using 1080×1920 resolution at 3.5 Mbps bitrate. Instagram heavily compresses uploads, so starting with high-quality exports helps maintain visual integrity after platform processing.
Instagram Reels and Stories Settings
Instagram Reels and Stories require vertical 9:16 format at 1080×1920 resolution. Export at 30fps for smooth playback within Instagram’s interface. Use H.264 codec with 5 Mbps bitrate. Keep Reels under 90 seconds and Stories under 60 seconds (or split longer content into multiple segments). These vertical formats dominate mobile viewing, making proper aspect ratio crucial for user experience.
TikTok Export Settings
TikTok videos use 9:16 vertical format at 1080×1920 resolution with 60-second maximum duration (or up to 10 minutes for certain accounts). Export using H.264 codec at 30fps with 6 Mbps bitrate for optimal quality. TikTok’s algorithm favors high-quality uploads, making proper export settings important for content performance. Vertical format is mandatory – horizontal videos will be pillarboxed, reducing visual impact.
Facebook Export Settings
Facebook supports various aspect ratios including 16:9 landscape, 1:1 square, and 9:16 vertical. For 1080p content, use 1920×1080 resolution with H.264 codec at 8-10 Mbps bitrate. Facebook accepts videos up to 240 minutes and 10GB. The platform aggressively compresses video, so starting with high-quality exports maintains watchability. Facebook recommends square or vertical formats for mobile-first engagement.
Twitter Export Settings
Twitter accepts videos up to 2 minutes 20 seconds (140 seconds), with 512MB maximum file size. Use 1920×1080 resolution for landscape content or 1080×1920 for vertical videos. Export with H.264 codec at 6-8 Mbps bitrate. Twitter compression is particularly aggressive, so high-quality source files help maintain clarity. Consider Twitter’s autoplay feature when editing – ensure visuals communicate effectively without sound.
LinkedIn Export Settings
LinkedIn supports videos from 3 seconds to 10 minutes, with 5GB maximum file size. Use 1920×1080 resolution with H.264 codec at 5 Mbps bitrate. LinkedIn recommends square (1:1) or vertical (2:3) formats for maximum mobile engagement. The platform targets professional audiences, so audio quality matters – export with AAC audio at 128 kbps or higher.
Vimeo Export Settings
Vimeo, targeting creators and professionals, accepts high-quality uploads with weekly storage limits based on account type. Export at your source resolution (up to 8K supported) using H.264 codec with high bitrates (10-20 Mbps for 1080p). Vimeo’s minimal compression preserves quality better than most platforms. Professional creators often use Vimeo for portfolio work requiring maximum visual fidelity.
Email and Website Export Settings
Videos for email attachments or website embedding require smaller file sizes for quick loading. Reduce resolution to 720p (1280×720) and use lower bitrates (3-5 Mbps). Keep duration short – under 2 minutes ideally. Many email providers limit attachment sizes to 25MB, requiring significant compression. Consider using download links to cloud storage for larger files rather than direct email attachment.
Creating Export Presets
Most editing software allows saving custom export presets for frequently used settings. Create presets for each platform you regularly post to, eliminating repetitive menu navigation. Name presets clearly (e.g., “YouTube 1080p,” “Instagram Reels,” “TikTok Vertical”). Presets save time and prevent export errors from incorrect settings. Share presets with team members to ensure consistent quality across multiple editors.
Testing and Quality Control
After exporting, watch the entire video before uploading to catch quality issues, audio problems, or rendering glitches. Check playback on mobile devices since most social media consumption occurs on smartphones. Verify aspect ratios display correctly without unwanted cropping or letterboxing. Upload test versions privately when possible to see how platform compression affects your content before public posting.
Conclusion
Proper export settings ensure your videos look professional across every platform while meeting technical requirements. Master H.264 codec settings, understand resolution and bitrate relationships, and create custom presets for frequently used platforms. Each platform’s unique specifications require tailored export approaches, but the core principles remain consistent. Invest time learning optimal export settings, and your content will consistently deliver maximum quality to audiences regardless of viewing platform.
