Video Content Review Guidelines

This guide is designed to help reviewers assess video content by clearly categorizing each piece by its purpose and format. Use the following framework to identify and evaluate the strengths and areas for improvement in each video.
This template can be replicated for written content, whether for long blog posts or short social media posts on platforms like Twitter/X.
This guide is also useful for anyone looking to start creating content in a more formal way.

1. Types of Content by Purpose

A. Informative

• 📰 News Compilation:
  Videos that summarize current events or deliver timely updates.
  Look for clarity, factual accuracy, and conciseness.

• 🧠 Analysis/Opinion:
  Videos offering in-depth perspectives and insights on topics.
  Evaluate the quality of argumentation, the depth of research, and the balance of opinions.

• 🔢 List/Ranking:
  Videos that provide ordered lists comparing products, ideas, or concepts.
  Look for clear organization, logical sequencing, and the justification for rankings.

B. Educational

• 📚 Tutorial/How-To:
  Step-by-step guides aimed at practical learning.
  Reviewers should check for clear instructions, visual aids, and overall usability.

• 🎓 Explainer Video:
  Content that simplifies complex topics.
  Assess how well the video breaks down difficult concepts into easily understandable segments.

C. Engagement-Based

• 🎤 Interview:
  Videos featuring conversations with experts or influential figures.
  Consider the relevance of the interviewees, the flow of dialogue, and audience engagement.

• 🎧 Podcast:
  Long-form discussions or storytelling sessions.
  Evaluate the depth of discussion, audio quality, and the ability to keep viewers engaged.

• 😂 Entertainment:
  Skits, storytelling, humor, or fun content intended to entertain.
  Review the creativity, pacing, and overall production quality.
  Examples: Vlogs, Gameplays

2. Types of Content by Format

A. Long-form vs. Short-form

• Long-form:
  Videos that provide an in-depth exploration of topics, typically longer than 3 minutes.
  Evaluate narrative structure, depth of content, and viewer retention.

• Short-form:
  Brief, engaging videos designed for quick consumption, often under 3 minutes.
  Consider the ability to quickly capture attention and deliver concise messaging.

B. Series vs. Standalone

• Series:
  A collection of related videos that build upon each other.
  Assess the consistency of quality, thematic continuity, and how well each installment links to the overall narrative.

• Standalone:
  Independent videos that do not rely on previous content.
  Check for completeness in the storytelling or explanation, ensuring the viewer doesn’t need prior knowledge.

C. Live Content

• Live:
  Real-time broadcasts that may include Q&A sessions, live interviews, or interactive discussions.
  Evaluate the technical quality (stream stability, audio/video clarity), interactivity, and how effectively the live element engages the audience.

3. SEO & Discoverability Optimization

• 🔴(Highly relevant) / 🟡 (Secondary)

• 🔴 Title:
  Does the video have a clear, concise, and engaging title? Ensure it includes relevant keywords for searchability, accurately representing the content while enticing viewers to click.

• 🟡 Description:
  Is the description informative and detailed? A strong description provides context for the video, explains its value.

• 🔴 Thumbnail:
  Does the thumbnail catch attention while remaining relevant to the content? A visually appealing and appropriate thumbnail can significantly impact click-through rates.

• 🟡 Subtitles and Captions:
  Are subtitles or captions available for accessibility and SEO benefits? Search engines index captions and subtitles, which can improve the video’s reach.

• 🟡 Playlist and Categories:
  Is the video categorized correctly and added to relevant playlists? Being placed in the right category and playlists can improve visibility and engagement on platforms like YouTube.

4. Additional Considerations

• Interactive Elements:
  Identify if the video includes interactive features such as polls, live chats, or call-to-action segments. Consider how these elements enhance or detract from the viewer experience.

• Case Studies/Real-Life Examples:
  Check whether the video uses practical examples or case studies to illustrate key points, especially in educational and informative content. This can greatly enhance credibility and viewer understanding.

• Hybrid Formats:
  Recognize that many videos blend elements from multiple categories. For example, a live interview might also serve as an in-depth analysis, or a tutorial could be part of a larger series. Evaluate how well the video balances these different elements.

• Quality and Consistency:
  Regardless of type, assess the overall production quality including editing, sound, visuals, and pacing. Consistency in style and tone is also important, especially for series content.

• Audience Engagement:
  Consider the video’s ability to capture and maintain the audience’s interest. Look at viewer metrics (if available), feedback, and the level of interactivity during live sessions.

5. Evaluation Criteria

💪 Difficulty Level

Evaluate the complexity of the content. Is the topic or the production challenging in terms of technical or intellectual effort? Consider the following:

• Low: Simple content, basic explanations, or light editing.
• Medium: Some depth, moderate complexity, or intermediate editing.
• High: Complex concepts, advanced production techniques, or in-depth analysis.

🎨 Creativity

Assess how innovative or original the content is. Is the video unique, or does it follow common templates? Consider the originality of the ideas, storytelling, or presentation:

• Highly Creative: Fresh perspective, unique approach, engaging visuals or narrative style.
• Moderately Creative: Standard format with some creative elements.
• Low Creativity: Conventional content, minimal creativity, or overused approaches.

✂️ Editing Quality

Evaluate the production quality and editing skills. Focus on the following aspects:

• Transitions & Pacing: Are the transitions smooth? Does the pacing suit the content’s style and tone?
• Audio & Visuals: Are the audio and visuals clear? Check for background noise, music, and sound balance.
• Consistency: Does the video maintain a consistent editing style, visual theme, and narrative flow throughout?

📚 References

Evaluate whether the video cites reliable sources, provides references, or uses evidence to back up claims. Consider:

• Well-Researched: Proper citations, use of sources, and evidence.
• Moderately Referenced: Some references or mentions of sources, but not extensive.
• Lacking References: Minimal to no references, which might reduce credibility.

💬 Commentary

Evaluate the presenter’s commentary or analysis. Does the commentary provide value and depth to the content? Look for:

• Insightful Commentary: Provides deep insights, encourages critical thinking, or sparks discussion.
• Moderate Commentary: Offers basic commentary but doesn’t add much depth to the content.
• Surface-Level Commentary: The commentary is shallow, unoriginal, or adds little to the content.

Bonus Evaluation Criteria

🌟 Current Impact

Evaluate the current reach, engagement, and overall impact of the content. This includes views, interactions, and how relevant it is to the audience at this moment. Consider whether the content is performing well, in terms of engagement (likes, shares, comments) and how much attention it’s attracting.

• High Impact: Content that is currently generating significant engagement, discusses trending topics, and is resonating with the audience right now.
• Medium Impact: Content that has moderate engagement, relevant to current trends but not going viral or addressing an immediate need.
• Low Impact: Content that is underperforming, outdated, or lacks meaningful engagement in the present moment.

♻️ Evergreen Content

Assess whether the content will remain relevant and valuable over time, regardless of changing trends or news cycles.

• Highly Evergreen: The content remains relevant and valuable for a long period (e.g., educational tutorials, timeless concepts).
• Moderately Evergreen: The content will stay useful for a moderate amount of time but may need updates (e.g., industry overviews or trends that change periodically).
• Not Evergreen: The content is time-sensitive and loses its value after a certain period (e.g., specific news events or product reviews).