Social Media Today: short-form video budgets to grow 22% in 2026
Social Media Today's 2026 benchmark report shows marketers plan to grow short-form video budgets by an average 22%, with Reels and Shorts now eating spend from static social and even some display campaigns.
Social Media Today's 2026 benchmark shows short-form video has crossed from 'experimental' to a top-three line item in most marketing budgets.
What happened?
Marketers surveyed by Social Media Today plan to grow short-form video spend by an average 22% in 2026, mostly funded by cuts to static social, banner display and some long-form video.
Why it matters for businesses
If you are still planning around static posts, you'll lose share of voice in the channels where attention is already concentrated — Reels, Shorts and TikTok.
How businesses can use this update
Ring-fence at least 20% of your monthly marketing budget for short-form video — both production and paid promotion — and treat it as a core, not an add-on.
Pacewalk expert note
We run integrated short-form sprints — scripting, shooting, editing and paid amplification — for D2C, education and local-services brands across Punjab and India.
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Original source: Social Media Today
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