Mobile changes the rules (even if your footage is amazing)
On a phone, the viewer isn’t admiring details.
They’re scanning.
That’s why a “beautiful” wide shot can fail on mobile, while a simple close-up performs.
The problem: platforms cover your visuals
Captions, buttons, progress bars, usernames — they all sit on top of your video.
If your subject is near the bottom, it gets buried.
Beginner mistakes
- Cropping for desktop, then posting on mobile.
- Putting the subject at the very bottom (UI covers it).
- Using busy backgrounds behind text.
- Choosing wide shots when the story needs clarity.
The mobile-safe composition checklist
1) Choose a predictable aspect ratio
For short-form, stay consistent. Your feed looks cleaner and your edits get faster.
If you have to switch ratios, do it intentionally (not randomly).
2) Keep the subject in the “safe zone”
Rule of thumb: keep faces, hands, and key objects near the center.
Avoid placing important details in the bottom 20–25% where controls live.