Stock Video Market Size & Share | Industry Trends - 2034

According to the report by Expert Market Research (EMR), the global stock video market attained a value of USD 5.13 billion in 2024. Aided by the increasing demand for video-based content across digital marketing, social media, and entertainment industries, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.94% between 2025 and 2034, reaching a value of nearly USD 9.14 billion by 2034.

Stock videos, which are pre-recorded clips available for licensing, are becoming indispensable tools for content creators, marketers, educators, and media professionals. These videos save significant production costs and time, offering instant access to high-quality footage across numerous themes and styles. The rise of digital storytelling, increased focus on visual communication, and the proliferation of short-form content platforms are collectively driving the stock video market forward.

As audiences increasingly consume content through platforms like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and streaming services, demand for dynamic and versatile video clips has soared. Additionally, the widespread adoption of remote work and online education has created new opportunities for the use of stock video in virtual presentations, e-learning modules, and corporate training videos.

Market Size

The global stock video market reached a size of USD 5.13 billion in 2024, underscoring its growing importance in the evolving digital content ecosystem. The increasing preference for video as a primary medium of communication, both in personal and professional spheres, is leading to higher investments in video production. Stock video providers offer a scalable solution for meeting this demand, providing vast libraries of ready-to-use footage that cater to a wide array of industries.

The cost-effectiveness and ease of access offered by stock video platforms have led to their adoption by small businesses, freelance creators, non-profit organisations, and even large media houses. With 4K and 8K resolutions becoming more standard, and the integration of motion graphics and drone footage, the appeal of stock video continues to grow. These advancements are not only improving content quality but also broadening the application scope of stock video in advertising, documentary filmmaking, corporate communications, and user-generated content.

As digital infrastructure continues to expand globally and internet accessibility improves, particularly in emerging markets, more content creators are entering the space, fueling the need for affordable, professional-grade video assets. This global expansion is anticipated to further propel the market size over the forecast period.

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Market Share

In terms of application, the media and entertainment segment commands the largest share of the global stock video market. Film studios, television networks, advertising agencies, and independent filmmakers rely on stock footage to enhance their productions, manage costs, and streamline their workflows. The growing need for consistent video content in episodic series, promotional campaigns, and news broadcasts has sustained the dominance of this sector.

Corporate communications and training represent another significant market segment. Businesses are increasingly using stock videos for internal training, promotional videos, investor presentations, and brand storytelling. The ease of customising pre-shot footage for specific business needs adds to the value proposition for companies aiming to maintain professional standards without a full-scale production budget.

In terms of licensing, royalty-free stock video holds the majority share due to its affordability and flexibility. These clips allow for multiple uses after a one-time payment, making them highly attractive for small to mid-sized businesses. Rights-managed stock videos, which offer exclusive usage rights, are preferred for niche applications and by clients seeking content uniqueness and control.

Regionally, North America leads the global market, supported by a mature media landscape, advanced content creation technologies, and a high concentration of leading stock video providers. Europe follows closely with strong demand from creative agencies and corporate clients. The Asia Pacific region is witnessing rapid growth driven by increasing internet penetration, a young content-savvy population, and expanding digital advertising sectors.

Market Trends

One of the most prominent trends in the stock video market is the growing demand for authentic and diverse content. Audiences and brands are seeking video clips that reflect real-life scenarios, multicultural representation, and inclusive themes. This shift is influencing stock video platforms to diversify their content libraries and partner with contributors from various cultural and geographic backgrounds.

Short-form video content is another rising trend, driven by the popularity of platforms such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. These platforms require a constant stream of engaging, bite-sized content, making stock videos an efficient resource for creators aiming to maintain frequency and quality.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are being increasingly adopted in the stock video space to improve content searchability, categorisation, and recommendation engines. Smart tagging, facial recognition, and contextual metadata are helping users find relevant footage more efficiently, enhancing user experience and platform retention.

Subscription-based pricing models and microstock platforms are gaining traction, especially among individual creators, educators, and small businesses. These models offer affordable monthly or annual access to a broad library of content, making stock video more accessible than ever before.

Drivers of Growth

The global stock video market is being driven by several interconnected factors. The growing dominance of video content across all major platforms, from entertainment to education, has significantly increased the need for scalable video solutions. As production budgets come under pressure and deadlines shorten, stock videos offer a practical alternative to original shoots.

The increasing penetration of smartphones, social media, and high-speed internet is empowering individuals and small businesses to create and share content more easily. This democratisation of content creation has opened a vast new market for stock video providers who cater to varying needs and budgets.

The rise of e-learning platforms and remote training programs is also contributing to market growth. Educational institutions, online course creators, and corporate trainers are incorporating stock video to enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of their instructional content.

Marketing and advertising trends are also leaning heavily toward visual storytelling. With consumers more responsive to video than text or static images, brands are investing in professional, high-impact visuals that can convey messages quickly and emotionally. Stock footage helps marketers build campaigns that are compelling and visually consistent across multiple channels.

Key Market Players

The global stock video market features a mix of long-established players and innovative new entrants. These companies compete based on content quality, licensing flexibility, platform usability, and pricing structures. Key players in the market include:

• Adobe Inc.
• Getty Images
• Pond5 Inc.
• Shutterstock, Inc.
• Others

These companies are expanding their contributor networks, improving user interfaces, and leveraging AI to enhance search functionality. Many are also investing in regional content, exclusive video series, and high-resolution offerings to attract both global and local users.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite its upward trajectory, the stock video market faces certain challenges. One major issue is content saturation. With a growing number of contributors and videos available, platforms may struggle with redundancy, where many users end up using the same popular clips, reducing uniqueness and impact.

Concerns around licensing clarity and copyright infringement also persist. Users often find the legal distinctions between royalty-free and rights-managed confusing, which can lead to unintended usage violations and legal complications.

However, these challenges also present significant opportunities. Platforms that offer clearer licensing terms, transparent usage rights, and strong legal support stand to gain customer trust. There is also potential in developing region-specific and niche content for underrepresented markets.

The demand for customisable stock footage is another area of opportunity. Providing modular clips or templates that allow for easy editing, voiceover, or integration into branded content could help stock video providers appeal to a broader audience.

Emerging markets in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Africa also offer untapped potential. As digital content creation grows in these regions, so will the need for affordable and locally relevant video assets.

Market Forecast

Looking ahead, the global stock video market is expected to witness robust and steady growth through the forecast period. From its value of USD 5.13 billion in 2024, the market is projected to reach approximately USD 9.14 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 5.94%.

This growth will be supported by the increasing reliance on video content across sectors, advancements in video resolution and editing technology, the expanding ecosystem of content creators, and the proliferation of digital marketing strategies. As the world becomes more visually driven and digitally connected, stock video is poised to remain a cornerstone of modern content creation and communication.