Explainer Video vs. Text: Why Video Wins Every Time

When it comes to communicating complex ideas or introducing a new product, what’s the best approach—explainer videos or text-based content? Both methods have their strengths, but there’s a reason why explainer video are rapidly dominating websites, social media platforms, and marketing campaigns.

This article dives into why videos come out on top in the “video versus text” debate and how they are redefining the way we engage with information. By the end, you’ll understand why your business should prioritize video content and how it can elevate your communication strategy.

The Power of Visual Storytelling

Explainer videos thrive because they combine visuals, audio, and storytelling to create a powerful, engaging medium. Neuroscientists believe that humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text. Combine that with a compelling narrative, and an explainer video can communicate what’s often lost in pages of written content.

For example, product features that take a dense paragraph of technical writing can often be explained in under a minute with a clear animation. This immediacy is one reason why explainer videos resonate better than text.

Benefits of Visual Storytelling in Explainer Videos:

• Easy to understand – Visuals simplify complex concepts, making them far easier to grasp.
• Emotionally impactful – Narrated videos with visuals can elicit emotions, helping viewers connect with content on a deeper level.
• Memorability – Information presented in a video format is more likely to be remembered because it taps into multiple senses simultaneously.

Consider a business unveiling a new app. A video demonstrating the app’s unique features and benefits will likely hold the target audience’s attention much more effectively than a text-heavy landing page.

Shorter Attention Spans, Stronger Engagement

The average attention span is just 8 seconds. That’s barely enough time to read through the introduction of a blog post. Videos are tailor-made to address this challenge, offering dynamic, engaging content that captivates viewers immediately.

For instance, studies show that users retain 95% of a video message compared to only 10% of text messages. A potential customer watching a 90-second explainer video is far more likely to act on that message than someone skimming written instructions.

Why Explainer Videos Drive Engagement:

• Dynamic visuals – Moving elements capture attention and hold interest longer.
• Compact information delivery – Videos are designed to deliver a lot of information in minimal time.
• Convenience – Watching a video requires less mental energy than reading, making it the preferred medium for mobile users.

SEO and Social Media Favor Videos

SEO rankings love video. Websites that feature explainer videos are 53 times more likely to appear on the first page of Google search results. Additionally, video content increases overall dwell time on a website, signaling to search engines that visitors find the content valuable.

Social media algorithms also prioritize video content. Platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Facebook actively boost videos in their feeds, making them far more likely to reach wider audiences.

Key Statistics That Highlight Video’s SEO Superiority:

• Videos on landing pages can increase conversion rates by 80%.
• Pages with video content experience an average traffic boost of 157%.
• Social media posts with videos receive 48% more views and shares compared to text.

Why Your Audience Prefers Videos Over Text

Consumers today demand instant gratification. They want high-value information served in a format that is easy to consume and demands minimal effort. Explainer videos satisfy all these requirements, delivering a snackable yet information-rich experience.

Additionally, people are inherently visual learners. Studies reveal that 65% of people are visual learners, while only 12% learn best by reading. This makes text-based content inherently less effective for most audiences, particularly for conveying complex ideas.

Other Reasons Viewers Choose Video Content:

• Accessibility for mobile users – Video is the go-to medium for smartphone users. It’s easier to watch a video in a mobile environment than reading long-form content.
• Language barriers – Demonstrative or animation-style videos can bypass language limitations more effectively than text.

Imagine a tech company trying to onboard new users to their platform. A short, engaging video tutorial can walk users through the platform’s features much faster and more effectively than a detailed PDF user guide.

Videos Build Trust and Drive Conversion

Beyond aesthetics and accessibility, explainer videos play a pivotal role in establishing credibility. Seeing a product or service in action instills trust. Whether it’s through a customer testimonial video or an animation breaking down how a service works, businesses can use videos to connect directly with their audience.

Conversion rates also skyrocket when video content is utilized. A survey of businesses reveals that 73% believe explainer videos increase their ROI, and a landing page with a video is the ultimate call-to-action tool.

By positioning your brand message as clear, appealing, and easy-to-remember, you’re reducing the friction that often comes with decision-making.

Challenges of Text-Based Content

While video shines, text-based content still has its place—but it comes with limitations. For one, written content requires more effort both to craft and consume. With skim-reading common, much of the intended message is often lost or ignored.

Additionally, text can lack the emotional pull of videos. A blog post may explain your company values in detail, but customers likely won’t feel the connection they would after watching a 2-minute brand video featuring loyal employees and satisfied clients.

It’s also worth noting that modern audiences increasingly favor interactive, multimedia content over plain text. Written articles must often work harder to maintain attention in competition with video-driven platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Why Text Isn’t Going Away Anytime Soon

For all its strengths, video isn’t without limits. Certain audiences or industries may still gravitate toward text—think academic institutions or professions rooted in detailed documentation (like law or research). Additionally, written content has the undeniable advantages of searchability and simplicity when readers are looking for specific, detailed information.

Nonetheless, these nuanced exceptions only underscore the broader truth that explainer videos dominate in the majority of scenarios, particularly in business and marketing contexts.

Invest in Your First Explainer Video Today

If you’re still relying on text-based communication for your business, you’re already behind the curve. Explainer videos can help you break through consumer fatigue, supercharge engagement, and clearly convey your message to your target audience.

Whether you’re looking to simplify complex information or boost ROI through more effective communication, video delivers measurable results in less time.

Now is the time to rethink your communication strategy and make videos the heart of your content plan. Your audience—and your bottom line—will thank you.