Setting Up Video Stimuli

In this article:

Upsiide allows you to display Video stimuli across the platform in Idea Screens, Idea Splits, Statements and Questions - this means you can do all your ad testing directly in-platform.

Upsiide supports embedding video links from YouTube and Vimeo. While videos aren’t hosted directly on Upsiide, linking them into your study is quick and easy.

To add your video stimuli to Upsiide, start by uploading the video to either YouTube or Vimeo. If the video isn’t already publicly available, we recommend uploading it as unlisted.

Unlisted videos can only be accessed by those with a direct link—this is how Upsiide uses them. If your study includes sensitive or confidential content, we suggest using Vimeo for greater control. Vimeo allows you to disable copying and sharing the video link, making it more secure. YouTube videos are usable, but it is important to note that respondents will have the option to copy the video link, which could lead to further sharing.

First, select to 'Add New Idea' within your Idea Screen or Idea Split in 'Create Mode'. You will want to ensure you select an Idea layout that includes imagery.

Once in the idea tile, click on the image to open image selection modal.

Select the video tab. Here, you can paste your YouTube or Vimeo link and preview your stimuli.

Select 'Done'. Your video will now be linked in your Idea.

When programming your video stimuli, it is important to keep in mind:

One key factor in selecting effective video stimuli is keeping your audience engaged. Longer videos lead to a longer LOI, which can lead to respondent fatigue and impact the quality of your data.

In Upsiide, video stimuli have a maximum length of 3 minutes. If your study includes multiple videos, we strongly recommend keeping each one as brief as possible.

Ideally, videos should be under 1 minute. If a longer video is required, it's best to show only one video in the 1–3 minute range per respondent to maintain engagement.

When using video stimuli in your study, it's important to ensure respondents can watch the full video and, if applicable, hear the audio clearly.

We recommend including a question in your screener to let respondents know that video content will be shown. This helps confirm they’re able to stream video and listen to audio without distractions.

For example:

This survey contains video. Please confirm you are able to hear audio on your device and stream video content.

To support accessibility, consider adding captions or subtitles- especially if your video includes dialogue or voiceover. This ensures participants who are deaf or hard of hearing, or those in sound-off environments, can still engage fully with the content. You can learn more about accessibility on Upsiide through here.

For the best respondent experience, ensure your video is clear, easy to follow, and visually sharp. We recommend using a resolution of 720–1080p and keeping the content straightforward and concise.

To help keep your video stimuli private, we recommend the following two approaches:

While these steps help reduce the risk of your video being shared, we can’t fully rule out the possibility of exposure. If your stimuli is particularly sensitive, we recommend erring on the side of caution, or reconsidering whether video is the best format.