The Big Question: Are Explainer Videos Really Dead in 2025?
I was on a shoot recently with a friend who also happens to be a Director of Photography. We were catching up and updating each other on recent projects. I ask if he or anyone he knows is working on explainer videos. He looked me in the eye, and declared: “The explainer video is dead.” That one line stuck with me—was he right? For years, explainer videos have been a go-to way to distill big ideas into snappy, shareable content. Yet in 2025, a world of instant Reels, TikToks, and immersive experiences, it’s hard not to question whether traditional explainers can still cut through the noise.
And if you’re a nonprofit or advocacy group, you know there’s a lot on the line. You’re juggling meaningful, and sometimes highly technical, information—data, policy, human stories—and it’s critical to get it across in a way that resonates. So, are explainer videos truly past their prime, or do they just need a fresh approach? In this post (and the series that follows), we’ll dive headfirst into this question, looking at how audience habits have evolved, why “simple but powerful” storytelling still matters, and how nonprofits can leverage the best of both worlds. Let’s find out if we’ve really reached the end of the road—or if explainer videos still have more life in them than we think.
The Shifting Landscape
When explainer videos first exploded onto the scene nearly a decade ago, they were a breath of fresh air—a simple, concise way for organizations to communicate big ideas in a matter of minutes. Fast-forward to 2025: social platforms are awash in thirty-second clips, interactive video experiences, and immersive formats like VR. With so many competing formats, you might be tempted to think the traditional, animated explainer has lost its place.
But here’s the reality: as information becomes more fragmented, organizations—especially nonprofits—still need a clear, compelling way to tell their stories. Contrary to popular belief, “outdated” doesn’t necessarily mean “useless.” In many cases, the shift in viewer habits calls for reinvention rather than abandonment.
Why Nonprofits Still Rely on Clear, Concise Explanations
Nonprofits and advocacy groups often grapple with complex messages. They might be tackling climate change, social justice, or health inequities—topics that don’t always boil down to a single statistic or tagline. Explainer videos remain invaluable tools because they:
Simplify Complexity: A well-crafted explainer can take policy jargon or intricate program details and distill them into a visual narrative that’s easy to grasp.
Evoke Emotion: Through relatable characters, storytelling, and visuals, explainer videos can tug at heartstrings and inspire viewers to take action.
Build Trust: People support causes they understand. An explainer video sets a foundation of clarity and credibility, making it easier for potential donors or volunteers to take that next step.
Are We Just Tired of “Same-Old, Same-Old”?
The reason many people are questioning whether explainer videos are “dead” might have more to do with oversaturation and declining attention spans than with the format itself. Over the past few years, short-form content like TikToks, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have dominated attention. But let’s not forget: every new platform is an opportunity for reinvention. Nonprofits can—and should—tailor their content so it’s both succinct and memorable. That might mean:
Condensing the core explanation to under 60 seconds.
Experimenting with storytelling hooks, strong pacing, and immediate payoffs.
Incorporating interactive or personalized elements that allow viewers to engage beyond pressing “play.”
What’s Changed in 2025?
Technology-Driven Engagement: Tools driven by artificial intelligence and augmented reality allow for more interactive, engaging storytelling. If a viewer can control certain aspects of the narrative or see themselves reflected in the cause, attention rates increase.
Mission-Centric Messaging: With higher competition for donor dollars, the mission—and its real-world impact—takes center stage. Generic, one-size-fits-all explainer templates have lost their luster.
Platform Versatility: Nonprofits are no longer tied to YouTube or their own website. Cross-platform editing and adaptive storytelling can make a single video concept work in multiple formats (e.g., short reels, interactive quizzes, or even live virtual events).
Why “Dead” Might Be the Wrong Question
Explainer videos aren’t dying; they’re evolving. The real question is whether you’re willing to adapt how you create and distribute them. For nonprofits, the value proposition of a good explainer video—clear communication, emotional resonance, trust-building—remains as relevant as ever. What has changed is the medium through which you deliver that value:
Mini Explainers for platforms like TikTok or Instagram Reels.
Interactive Explainers leveraging AI for personalized messaging.
Immersive Explainers using VR or 360-degree video to put viewers in the shoes of the communities you serve.
The Road Ahead
In this blog series, we’ll explore whether explainer videos truly deserve an obituary—or simply a makeover. We’ll dive into topics like evolving audience expectations, impact-driven storytelling strategies for nonprofits, and emerging technologies that can reshape how we produce and share our video content.
Hint: We suspect they’re far from dead. In fact, if you combine the timeless power of storytelling with fresh delivery methods, explainer videos might just become one of your most potent tools in 2025.
Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll break down how audience preferences have shifted—and why that might just be good news for nonprofits looking to amplify their impact.