Top video production trends in 2022

For years, video has steadily grown in popularity, mostly because it’s such a versatile and effective way to reach an audience. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this trajectory continued in 2022. Today, 92.7% of global internet users watch videos online every week, with the typical viewer averaging 100 minutes per day. It’s clear the video bandwagon has become a runaway train in the past few years — and it’s not likely to slow down anytime soon. Which brings a new challenge for businesses and creators of all kinds: How will you deliver content that meets the massive demand for video? The answer may come from understanding video production trends. 

This year, there have been some notable shifts in the types of video content that audiences engage with, as well as the topics that interest those audiences most. The trends we observed in 2022 just might help you create videos that hit all the right notes with your audiences in 2023.

How we identified the top video production trends in 2022

To analyze this year’s video production trends and create out 2022 video trends report, we gleaned insights from several sources. First, we conducted external research to find the most popular types of video content created in 2022. Then, we examined our own platform data to identify which search terms were most popular among Storyblocks users in 2022. Since our customers are on the leading edge of video creation, their searches are strong indicators of audiences’ in general, and the specific topics that matter right now. 

As a result, we were able to pinpoint six key video production trends. Plus, we found several topics you can focus on to create can’t-miss video content in 2023. Without further ado… here’s the 2022 video trends report:

1. Short-form video content

Short-form videos are bite-sized and highly shareable — usually topping out at 60 seconds in length. The format first gained traction back in 2012, when it was popularized by the gone-but-never-forgotten platform, Vine. Readers of a certain age will remember that Vine allowed users to easily create and share six-second looping video clips. Since Vine fizzled out in 2016, others like TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram have filled the void. 

TikTok alone is expected to reach 1.8 billion users by the end of the year. Storyblocks users are definitely aware of the app’s popularity, as “TikTok” topped our most-searched-for topics list for nearly half of 2022. What’s more, creators have attracted huge audiences with punchy, short-form videos that focus on everything from financial advice to cooking. Even YouTube, a historically medium- to long-form-centric video platform, now offers YouTube Shorts as a response to the huge demand for short-form video.  

Short videos are popular in part because they cater to the shorter attention spans that today’s audiences are notorious for having. They’re also a lot quicker, easier, and less expensive to produce than lengthier videos. That’s because you only need a mobile device with a camera to create them. The length limitations associated with short-form videos haven’t stopped creators from flexing their creative muscles with the format this year. If anything, short-form enthusiasts have developed new ways to incorporate music, green screens, and sound effects in their videos. 

Download this clip from Storyblocks

If you’re looking to create short-form videos of your own, start by focusing on a single topic of broad interest. Just remember the format inherently limits the amount of time you have to get your message across. That just means you need to always be concise and to the point. Popular search terms can provide clues to the types of topics that will resonate with your audiences. Throughout 2022, Storyblocks users searched our content library for topics that were ripe for short-form videos. We saw a big uptick in “pride” searches during the month of June. Topics related to Russia’s war in Ukraine also dominated searches for the majority of the year. Several of these terms trended on Storyblocks for multiple weeks including “Putin” (7 weeks), “NATO” (12 weeks), and “Ukraine flag” (4 weeks). 

2. Vlogging

Video blogging (or “vlogging”) isn’t new. It actually first emerged in the early 2000s. But, it came roaring back on the video production scene as a popular storytelling method, this year. Nearly 30% of internet users aged 16-44 say they watch vlogs on a weekly basis. Written blogs will probably always be around, but words on a screen can’t always deliver the same kind of sensory experience as a vlog. 

Vlogging provides an excellent opportunity to connect with your audience and infuse your personality into your videos. It’s a chance to really lean into authenticity to build meaningful connections with your audience. The format works particularly well if you aren’t afraid to bear a little bit of your soul in your videos, which you can do by choosing topics you have strong opinions on. In 2022, topics that draw passionate feelings like “abortion” (5 weeks trending) and “recession” (17 weeks trending) were popular among Storyblocks users searching for topical stock content.

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In recent years, YouTube has emerged as a go-to platform for vloggers who are using it to share their experiences and stories with a global audience. As of 2022, YouTube is the second-most popular website in existence (trailing only their parent company, Google). It has 2.2 billion monthly active users across 100 countries — and users upload an average of 2,500 new videos every minute. No wonder online video viewership is poised to overtake cable television by the end of 2022, according to Forbes. 

3. Live video

Thanks to today’s lightning-fast internet speeds and ubiquitous connectivity, a mobile device is all you really need to broadcast live video to your audience. The pandemic gave live video a big boost, when face-to-face interactions were replaced with Zoom and FaceTime calls. But live video has proven it isn’t just for socially distanced classes or work calls, anymore. A recent study projected the live streaming market’s value could grow from $70 billion in 2021 to nearly $224 billion by 2028. 

Instagram Live and Facebook are two popular platforms you can use to broadcast live video. Going live can be nerve wracking for some, since it doesn’t give you the ability to edit out any flubs. But, it’s great for audience engagement, because it lets you communicate and get feedback in real time. That immediate feedback is your golden ticket to creating more engaging video content in the future. So, while the pandemic may have slowed down, live video has solidified itself as a trend to watch (and try for yourself).

Download this clip from Storyblocks

If you’re thinking about giving live video a whirl, consider using it for thought-leadership content. The authenticity factor particularly matters when you’re sharing your opinions on a current or potentially controversial topic. Throughout 2022, Storyblocks users frequently searched our content library for weighty live topics like “interest rates” (9 weeks trending) and “Ukraine war” (12 weeks trending). These are just a couple examples of topics you may want to discuss in your next live video.   

4. Artificial intelligence (AI)

For decades we’ve been eagerly awaiting the promised arrival of full-fledged artificial intelligence (AI). Although we might not have robot housekeepers like the Jetsons just yet, AI has become a major video production trend. Today, you can borrow some computer brainpower to create personalized content your audience will want to watch and share. 

AI art generation engines like DALL-E 2 became a viral sensation in 2022. These tools allow users to create complex, at times bizarre original images just by entering a simple text prompt. The natural progression for this technology is AI-driven video creation. Synthesia is one platform offering a DALL-E 2-like platform for creating videos using plain text. While Descript uses AI to help creators make creative adjustments to their videos on the fly. We’ve even gotten into the game at Storyblocks by using machine learning to help you select the best creative assets for your video projects.

Storyblocks uses AI to recommend music for your video projects

More and more creators are becoming aware of AI’s time- and money-saving benefits for video production. As a result, growth is surging in the global AI market. And that’s bound to translate to more innovation and a greater selection of tools becoming available before you know it. Give this trend a try before your competition catches on.

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Using AI can give you a spark of inspiration you may never have discovered otherwise, allowing you to put a dynamic spin on virtually any topic. “Halloween” (7 weeks trending) and “back to school” (6 weeks trending) were popular search terms among Storyblocks users in 2022. Both topics evoke highly familiar (sometimes even cliche) imagery. It can be a creative challenge to think beyond the usual jack-o-lantern and apple for the teacher visuals. But, typing those terms into an AI-enabled video engine can help you quickly generate fresh ideas for an entirely unique concept.

5. Silent video

On most social platforms, videos start playing on mute by default. This feature was probably intended to help viewers avoid annoying other people in public places. But it inadvertently led to a whole new video production trend: The silent video. 

A video with only visual elements may seem somewhat limiting, but it actually gives you a chance to get more creative with your visuals. Believe it or not, you can tell a complete story with no sound at all by using captions or subtitles, or with photos and video footage that speak for themselves. Motion graphics are another great way to tell a story in total silence while maximizing visual interest.

Example of a motion-graphics Instagram video from Storyblocks

Silent videos are a favored format for spelling out complex subjects in easy-to-understand language. Up to 92% of consumers say they watch videos on mute, anyway. So, it makes perfect sense that silent videos have become one of the big video production trends in 2022.

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If you’re thinking about trying this format out in 2023, choose a difficult-to-explain or esoteric topic as your starting point. Then, create a compelling silent video to explain it to your audience. Some of the trending topics Storyblocks users searched for in 2022 included “running” (7 weeks trending), and “recession” (17 weeks trending). These topics are likely to stay hot in 2023, so why not let them inspire your first silent video? 

6. Aerial video footage

Not too long ago, shooting aerial video footage required an expensive crane or helicopter rental to pull off. Which pretty much meant it was limited to big-budget productions. But, consumer drones have really taken off (pun intended) in 2022, with global shipments of drones increasing by 68% this year. The good news is, you can now capture breathtaking aerial footage with a relatively small investment. (Just be sure to brush up on your local and federal aviation rules before taking to the sky.) 

Aerial footage looks cinematic by nature, so it’s a relatively easy way to add a “wow” factor to your videos. Don’t worry if you aren’t ready to buy your own drone rig. Even if you want to show pro-quality aerial footage from another part of the world, that doesn’t need to stop you. Check out Storyblocks’ extensive collection of high-quality drone footage, including many 4K clips.

Download this clip from Storyblocks 

The best aerial video footage includes shots of scenery or events with a lot of eye-catching visuals. Some of the most searched-for topics on Storyblocks in 2022 might also inspire you to use aerial footage in your next video. “Diwali” (4 weeks trending), “Chinese New Year” (5 weeks trending), and “autumn” (8 weeks trending) are all great topics to show from the sky.

Use Storyblocks templates to set your own video production trends

No matter your skill level, Storyblocks lets you quickly add eye-popping, on-trend visual flair to any video. And, our Premiere Pro and After Effects templates make it easy to add custom motion graphics to your videos in seconds — no advanced software knowledge required. With a Storyblocks subscription, you can download a huge selection of templates, as well as unlimited high-quality stock video assets to create videos faster than ever.