When square makes sense
Square video takes up a good amount of space in many scrolling feeds and is accepted by many ad placements. It is a useful middle ground when one file must work in several places.
Check each platform's current ad specs before you start, because recommended shapes differ by placement and change over time.
Crop without losing the subject
Create a new 1:1 project and drop in your vertical master file. Scale and position it so the face or product sits in the middle of the square.
Scrub through the whole video. Where the subject moves, add position keyframes or split the clip and reposition each part so nothing important leaves the frame.
Fix the text
Text placed near the top or bottom of a vertical video will be cut off. Remove burned-in text from the edit and add it again inside the square, keeping a margin from the edges.
For ads, keep text short and large, and check whether the platform has guidance on how much text is acceptable.
Export and name files clearly
Export at 1080x1080 or the size the platform recommends, using the same frame rate as your source. Higher bitrate settings keep detail when the platform recompresses.
Name files clearly, for example 'spring-sale_square_v2.mp4', so you and your team can tell versions apart later.
Frequently asked questions
Can I just add white bars above and below?
You can letterbox a horizontal clip into a square, but cropping a vertical clip usually looks fuller. Try both and see which keeps the message clearer.
Should captions be different in square videos?
Captions should sit inside the safe middle area of the square. Re-check their position after cropping, since the original placement may now be off screen.