When it comes to delivering complex ideas quickly and clearly, explainer videos are unmatched. These short, engaging videos are designed to simplify tough concepts, making them easier for users to understand — and more importantly, remember.
In a world overflowing with information, people don’t want to read long blocks of text or decode technical terms. They want fast, visual explanations — and that’s exactly what explainer videos deliver.
Here’s how explainer videos improve user understanding and retention, and why your brand should start using them today.
🎯 What is an Explainer Video?
An explainer video is a short, animated or live-action video that explains a product, service, process, or idea in a simple and engaging way.
These videos typically run between 60 to 120 seconds, using visuals, narration, and storytelling to clarify the message.
Common types include:
Product demos
How-it-works videos
Startup intros
App walkthroughs
Animated whiteboard videos
🧠 1. Visuals Improve Cognitive Processing
The brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than text.
By combining graphics, icons, motion, and voiceover, explainer videos present information in a format that the human brain loves to consume.
Instead of trying to understand a paragraph, users see a story unfold, helping them grasp the idea quickly — especially useful for:
Technical products
Financial or software services
Abstract or new ideas
This improves both comprehension and recall.
📚 2. Storytelling Creates Better Engagement
People remember stories 22 times more than facts alone.
Explainer videos use storytelling to:
Introduce a problem
Show the solution (your product or idea)
Explain how it works
End with a clear call to action
This structure not only keeps users watching but also makes the information emotionally resonant, improving engagement and memory retention.
🔄 3. Repetition and Reinforcement
Explainer videos can include reinforced visuals, where key messages or steps are repeated using different methods:
Visual icons
Voice narration
On-screen text or animation
This combination strengthens the user’s understanding and increases the likelihood of remembering the information later.
📈 4. Retention Boost = Higher Conversions
Research shows:
Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to only 10% when reading it in text.
Landing pages with explainer videos convert up to 80% better than those without.
Explainer videos reduce bounce rate and increase time on page.
Better retention leads to more confident users, who are more likely to take action — sign up, buy, or share.
🖥 5. Ideal for Onboarding and Tutorials
If your app or product requires onboarding, explainer videos can:
Reduce support tickets
Speed up learning curves
Make first-time users feel comfortable
Help users complete tasks successfully on their own
Companies like Slack, Dropbox, and Trello all use explainer animations during onboarding to improve user understanding and satisfaction.
📊 6. Easily Shareable and Trackable
Explainer videos are highly shareable on:
Websites
Social media
Landing pages
Email campaigns
YouTube and Vimeo
They also provide performance metrics like:
View count
Watch time
Drop-off points
Click-through rate
These insights help you tweak your message for better user results.
🛠 7. Affordable and Scalable
Thanks to tools like:
Vyond
Animaker
Canva (with video templates)
Lumen5
Doodly
You no longer need a big budget or professional studio. Even small businesses and startups can create high-quality explainer videos that deliver real impact.
💡 Final Tips for an Effective Explainer Video
Keep it short (under 2 minutes)
Focus on one core message
Use a friendly, conversational tone
Include a clear call to action
Add captions for better accessibility
Use branding colors and logo for identity
✅ Conclusion
Explainer videos are smart tools that simplify complex information and improve how well your audience understands, remembers, and acts on your message.
They combine visuals, voice, and storytelling to create memorable experiences — perfect for driving engagement, boosting conversions, and building trust.
If you're serious about better communication and results, start using explainer videos in your content strategy today.