Short-video format catalog¶
17 formats to test against each other. Each one has an id you can put in the post file (format: <id>) so results
can be compared per format. Automation says how much an AI agent plus a video tool can do without you filming:
- Auto: the agent writes the script and a render spec; a code-based video tool (for example Remotion) builds the file from your real screen recording, licensed stock clips and free music. You only review and post.
- Half: the file can be built automatically, but one piece only exists inside the app (a trending sound, a Stitch).
- Manual: needs your face, your voice, or an in-app feature.
| # | format |
What it looks like | Audio | Automation | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | silent-demo |
Real screen recording, zoom + big caption per step, no voice | free music | Auto | any app, extension, SaaS |
| 2 | pain-hook |
2–3 s of licensed stock footage of someone frustrated at a computer, then the product fixes it | free music | Auto | utilities, productivity |
| 3 | before-after |
The mess → one tap → clean, hard cut or split screen | free music | Auto | utilities, templates |
| 4 | satisfying |
Smooth motion (files flying into folders, a counter going down), loops cleanly | soft music / app sounds | Auto | cleaners, organizers, games |
| 5 | loop-text |
5–9 s, one line + one shot, end frame = start frame so it replays | free music | Auto | anything with one clear result |
| 6 | challenge |
"Clean my Mac in 30 seconds", countdown on screen, real result at the end | free music | Auto | speed / effort savers |
| 7 | race |
Split screen with timers: doing it by hand vs the product, times measured for real | free music | Auto (needs a real recording of the manual way) | utilities |
| 8 | photo-carousel |
5–8 text slides on stock or app stills; TikTok photo mode or a slideshow video | free or trending | Auto | tips, lists, myths |
| 9 | how-to |
"How to |
AI or real voice | Auto (AI voice) | anything people search for |
| 10 | hot-take |
"Stop |
AI or real voice | Auto (AI voice) | tools that replace a manual habit |
| 11 | genz-voice |
Cuts every 1–2 s, word-by-word captions, a spoken hook in under 3 s | voice + music | Auto (AI voice) | consumer apps, games |
| 12 | pov |
"POV: you …" text over a relatable screen moment | trending sound | Half (sound added in the app) | consumer apps, games |
| 13 | trend-remix |
This week's trend format recreated with your own footage, or a Stitch / Duet | trending sound | Half / Manual | anything, when a trend fits |
| 14 | listicle |
"3 |
voice | Half (filming other apps) | utilities |
| 15 | dev-story |
"I built this because …", one real decision, real numbers or none | voice / face | Manual | indie makers |
| 16 | green-screen |
You talking over a screenshot: your store page, a Reddit thread, a review | voice / face | Manual | any |
| 17 | reply-comment |
Video reply to a real comment, showing the answer in the product | voice | Manual (in-app feature) | once you have comments |
Footage and music you may use¶
| Source | OK? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Your own screen recordings and phone footage | yes | the core of every format |
| Stock clips from Pexels / Pixabay | yes | both licenses allow commercial use without credit; don't resell the raw file. Keep a SOURCES.md with link + download date |
| Free music from Pixabay Music or the YouTube Audio Library | yes | check each track's license; some tracks are registered with Content ID, keep the link as proof |
| Trending sounds and songs on TikTok / Instagram | only inside the app | promotional posts usually have to use the Commercial Music Library; never bake a copyrighted song into the file |
| Other creators' viral videos | no | downloading and re-uploading someone else's video breaks copyright and the platforms' originality rules, even if it fits your topic. Use Stitch / Duet (the creator allowed it and gets credit) or recreate the format with your own footage |
| AI avatars / AI voices | yes, labeled | TikTok asks you to label realistic AI-generated content; a real face usually builds more trust for story formats |
A/B naming¶
Put test: <topic>-<date> and variant: A | B | C in each post of one test. Same topic and call to action, only the
format (or only the hook) changes. Post on different days at the same hour; after 24 h log views, average watch time,
% of viewers still watching at 3 s, link clicks and installs.