10 Short-Form Video Trends for Affiliates in 2025

Short-form video is now a must-have for affiliates. Whether you’re promoting products on TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or even newer platforms, quick, engaging videos can drive serious traffic and conversions. But with trends evolving fast, staying ahead is key.

So, what’s working in 2025? Here are ten short-form video trends every affiliate should know:

1. AI-Powered Video Creation

AI-generated content is everywhere. Tools like Runway, Synthesia, and HeyGen can create realistic avatars, voiceovers, and even entire videos in seconds. For affiliates, this means you can produce high-quality content without needing a professional setup. Whether it’s AI-generated product demos or personalised recommendations, AI can help scale your video output.

2. Native Shop Integration

Platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping have made it easier than ever to sell directly through short videos. In 2025, we’re seeing even deeper integrations – products tagged in videos, one-click purchases, and real-time stock updates. Affiliates who master in-app shopping features will convert more viewers into buyers without sending them off-platform.

3. Live Short-Form Content

Live shopping isn’t new, but now it’s happening in bite-sized clips. Platforms are pushing “live moments”– short, interactive Q&A sessions, quick product drops, and flash sales within short videos. Viewers can ask questions, get instant answers, and buy in real-time. If you’re not experimenting with live elements, you’re missing out.

4. “Edutainment” Over Sales Pitches

Hard selling is out. Affiliates are winning with “edutainment” – content that informs while entertaining. Instead of a dry sales pitch, try explainer videos, product hacks, or behind-the-scenes clips. Make your audience laugh, surprise them, or teach them something new while subtly promoting a product.

5. User-Generated Content (UGC) Domination

Brands are shifting budgets to UGC because it’s authentic and trusted. This is great news for affiliates. If you can create casual, relatable videos that feel like recommendations from a friend, you’ll outperform polished, overly produced content. Expect brands to seek out affiliates who can deliver UGC-style videos that blend seamlessly into organic feeds.

6. Fast-Paced, Text-Heavy Videos

Attention spans are shorter than ever. The top-performing short videos in 2025 are punchy, text-heavy, and cut fast. Think: big, bold captions, jump cuts every two seconds, and on-screen text highlighting key points. Viewers should be able to consume the entire message without sound—because most will.

7. The “Silent Affiliate” Strategy

Speaking of sound-off viewing, voiceover-heavy videos are losing steam. Instead, creators are mastering the “silent affiliate” approach – using text, stickers, and ASMR-style product interactions to sell without a voiceover. This trend is huge in markets where multiple languages are spoken and in professional environments where sound-on viewing isn’t an option.

8. Hyper-Personalisation Through AI

AI isn’t just helping with content creation, it’s making personalisation easy. Affiliates can now create multiple versions of the same video tailored to different audience segments. For example, an AI tool could generate different product recommendations based on a user’s age, interests, or browsing behaviour. Expect personalised video content to drive higher conversions.

9. “Day-in-the-Life” and POV Videos

Authenticity sells, and people love getting a glimpse into real experiences. POV (point of view) videos—where the viewer feels like they’re in your shoes- are trending. Affiliates are using them to showcase how products fit into daily life. Whether it’s “A Day in My Life as a Digital Nomad” featuring your favourite travel gear or “Morning Routine with My Go-To Skincare,” this format builds trust and engagement.

10. AI Voice Cloning for Content Scaling

Imagine creating a short-form video in English and instantly converting it into Spanish, French, or Mandarin, with your own voice. AI voice cloning is making this possible. For affiliates targeting international markets, this is a game-changer. Instead of relying on subtitles, you can now localise videos with natural-sounding voiceovers in multiple languages, expanding your reach.

How to Stay Ahead in 2025

Short-form video is evolving fast, but the formula for success remains the same:

• Be early: Jump on new platform features and trends before they get crowded.
• Be authentic: Raw, unfiltered content feels more relatable than polished ads.
• Be data-driven: Test different formats, track engagement, and double down on what works.

With these trends in mind, affiliates who embrace short-form video will see more traffic, more engagement, and ultimately, more conversions in 2025. Which trend will you test first?