Google tunes Veo for mobile-first video with native vertical output

Creators have tried to adapt Google’s Veo model to suit their needs, but creating vertical videos has always been a challenge. This is a big problem now that Shorts, Reels, and TikTok are so popular. With Veo 3.1, Google has finally caught up. The main new feature is native vertical output from ingredients to video.

Google said in a blog post that in Veo 3.1, Individual to Video can now create true vertical clips by default, allowing models to quickly understand portrait framing (9:16). This keeps your subject centered, aligns the movement vertically, and fits the scene to your phone’s screen from the start.

This is important for people who create a lot of social content. Creators of short-form formats can now provide reference images, style tips, text prompts, and more to Veo to get vertical videos that look like they were created for that format.

If you’re new to Veo, Individuals to Video is a mode that allows you to mix various inputs such as images, sketches, motion references, and text into one generated clip. This is the most flexible part of Veo, but it’s also traditionally been the most frustrating for mobile-first creators. In 3.1, this workflow now smoothly supports vertical output.

Vertical video may be the star, but that’s not the only improvement in Veo 3.1. Google says the model is now able to provide a more consistent visual quality across a scene without causing jarring changes to the character’s appearance.

This update shows that Google wants to compete with Veo. Google is clearly targeting social platforms with a focus on vertical output and easier workflows for creators.