01
Which fields are worth reading?
Three. The accepted shapes, because getting that wrong means the clip is cropped or letterboxed by the platform. The maximum duration, because exceeding it means refusal. And any labelling requirement, because those carry consequences beyond presentation. Everything else is either generous or automatic.
02
Which fields to read
Published requirements cover every upload path including professional and advertising tools. Three lines of it apply to an ordinary post.
| Field | Read it? | Because |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted shapes | Yes | Getting it wrong means a bad crop |
| Maximum duration | Yes | Getting it wrong means a refusal |
| Labelling requirements | Yes | Consequences beyond presentation |
| Maximum file size | No | Far above anything a clip reaches |
| Recommended bitrate | No | Everything is processed on arrival anyway |
| Accepted formats | No | An ordinary mp4 satisfies all of them |
03
The three fields in practice
Accepted shapes tell you whether a vertical 9:16 clip will fill the screen or be framed differently. Maximum duration tells you how long a clip can be before it is treated as a regular video or rejected. Accepted formats tell you which file types and codecs upload without trouble.
Check these three for every platform you post to and write the answers on a single page.
04
Fields you can usually ignore
Recommended bitrates, colour settings and audio sample rates are guidelines for best quality rather than hard requirements. A clip exported with sensible common settings meets them automatically. Chasing exact recommended numbers rarely makes a visible difference.
Ignore fields that apply to adverts or live streams if you only post clips.
05
Keeping up with changes
Platforms change duration limits and shape support from time to time. Check the official help pages every few months, particularly before planning a batch of longer clips.
Note the date you last checked on your summary page.
06
Turning the sheet into a preset
Once you know the key requirements, save an export preset in your editing tool that satisfies all platforms at once. Using one preset for every clip removes guesswork and prevents mistakes.
Name it clearly so anyone on your team uses the same one.
07
When an upload fails
If a platform rejects a clip, go back to the three fields: shape, duration and format. Almost every failure traces back to one of them.
Compare the failing file's details with a file that uploaded successfully.
09
Read the three lines that apply
- Read shape and duration first. They are the two that cause refusals.
- Skip the ceilings. File size and bitrate maximums are far above anything a clip reaches.
- Check labelling rules separately. They change more often than the technical fields.
Make a standard clip and skip the document.
Questions people ask
- Why are the documents so long?
- They cover every upload path including professional and advertising tools, most of which does not apply to an ordinary post.
- Do I need to match the recommended bitrate?
- No. Recommendations are guidance for large uploads, and everything is processed on arrival anyway.
- What causes an actual refusal?
- Usually duration or an unsupported combination inside the file. Shape problems tend to produce a bad crop rather than a rejection.
- Are the published numbers current?
- Often slightly behind. The shapes are reliable; the specific figures drift.
- Is there a quicker way?
- Producing a standard 9:16 clip under a minute satisfies every vertical feed without reading anything.