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The trend of using various video formats to tell stories or to spark people’s interest is becoming more and more popular. Intriguing shows, new technology reviews, fun stories from your friends, and short videos about current events all regularly show up on the news feed. Motion reels your audience in, while interesting content and dynamic narratives hold their attention.

ВКонтакте·14 Jan 2019

Impress your followers and attract a new audience. Introducing community live covers for iOS and Android.

The trend of using various video formats to tell stories or to spark people’s interest is becoming more and more popular. Intriguing shows, new technology reviews, fun stories from your friends, and short videos about current events all regularly show up on the news feed. Motion reels your audien.., image #1

All eyes on you

Live covers contain up to five photos or short videos that are automatically cycled through. In just a few seconds, you can tell a whole story, show your main products or services, and share what inspires you. A well-thought-out dynamic cover could take the place of a community description and help make your page stand out from the rest. With photos and videos, your visitors will get a lot of information without even trying.

There’s no way these won’t grab your attention. Live covers on your smartphone are four times larger than normal covers, and with just a tap, users can make the live cover full screen and enable the sound. The community’s action button, name, icon and status are all seamlessly integrated into the live cover, and, just like before, all important information can be seen right at first glance.

For now, only verified communities and those who have been honored by Prometheus are able to use live covers. In January, the new function will become available to all groups and public pages.

Tell the world what moves you

The live cover’s easy-to-understand format with its integrated action button makes it an effective tool to develop your community. Several leading brands are already using them, such as S7, PlayStation, and twenty one pilots.

Here are a few more examples of how this combo can be used:

  • Bands and artists can add a video of their last performance to their community’s live cover and use the action button to sell tickets to their next concert.
  • Clothing stores can use live covers to present their new collection, announce sales or show specific products, and give users the ability to go straight to check out.
  • Using live covers, cafes and restaurants can display their most delicious dishes or show off their cozy interior and give users the ability to book a table right then and there.

You can upload a live cover in your community settings. Visitors will see the new format on the iOS and Android apps. On the mobile and desktop versions of VK, users will still see the usual, static covers.

Add some uniqueness to your community and draw in new followers and clients. Live covers open a completely new range of possibilities.

Alexey Mazelyuk
Designer, VK