Updated June 2026
How to Make AI Videos for Instagram Reels & TikTok
Vertical 9:16 clips that stop the scroll — free to start, no editing skills.
Reels and TikTok reward short, vertical video with a strong opening second. NanoBanana AI lets you generate 9:16 clips from a sentence or a photo using Google Veo 3.1, right in the browser. This guide covers the formats, durations, and hooks that perform on short-form feeds.
Step by step
1
Open the AI video generator
Head to the NanoBanana AI video generator and choose text-to-video to start from a description, or image-to-video to animate a photo you already have.
2
Set a vertical 9:16 format
Reels and TikTok are full-screen vertical, so select a 9:16 (portrait) aspect ratio. This fills the phone screen and avoids letterboxing that hurts reach.
3
Write a hook-first prompt
Describe the first second as the hook — for example, 'close-up of a coffee cup, steam rising, fast whip-pan reveal of a cozy cafe, warm morning light'. Front-load the most eye-catching moment.
4
Pick a short duration
Choose 8 to 15 seconds for Reels and TikTok; these lengths tend to hold retention and loop well. Save 30 to 60 seconds for tutorials or storytelling. Unsure? See the /guides/ai-video-length-guide.
5
Generate, then refine the opening
Generate the clip and watch the first second on mute. If the hook is weak, rewrite the opening of your prompt and regenerate — the first frame decides whether people keep watching.
6
Download and post
Download the watermark-free clip and upload it to Reels or TikTok. Add on-platform captions and trending audio there for extra reach; commercial use is allowed on every plan.
Pro tips for better results
- Design for sound-off viewing: strong motion and visual contrast carry the clip when audio is muted.
- Keep the key subject centered and clear of the top and bottom third, where captions and UI sit.
- Aim for a clean loop — a clip that ends near where it began encourages replays.
- Test two hook variations of the same idea and keep whichever holds attention longer.
- For image-to-video from a photo, see /guides/turn-photos-into-videos-with-ai; for the full toolset visit /ai-video-generator.
Frequently asked questions
What aspect ratio should I use for Reels and TikTok?
Use 9:16 vertical (portrait). It fills the phone screen full-frame, which both platforms favor for reach; square or landscape clips get cropped or letterboxed.
How long should a TikTok or Reels AI video be?
For most short-form posts, 8 to 15 seconds works best for retention and looping. NanoBanana AI supports about 4 to 60 seconds, so use longer durations for tutorials or storytelling.
Can I make vertical AI videos for free?
Yes. NanoBanana AI starts with free credits and no credit card. Paid plans with more video generations begin at $2/day (the Micro plan includes 3 videos).
Do the videos have a watermark?
No. NanoBanana AI exports watermark-free video on every plan, including free, with commercial use allowed — so your Reels and TikToks stay clean.
Can I add trending music to my AI video?
Add trending audio directly in Reels or TikTok after uploading — that keeps you aligned with each platform's trending sounds and licensing. Generate the visuals in NanoBanana AI first, then post.
More guides & comparisons