Of all digital channels, video saw the biggest boost in 2020 and became the default replacement for every kind of in-person communication. People spent so much time videoconferencing that many invested in better cameras and special lighting. Even television was transformed, with late-night TV hosts like Stephen Colbert doing shows from home, and news outlets like the BBC interviewing guests from their living rooms.
This year of unprecedented video adoption showed us that video is not a one-for-one replacement for in-person interaction. Just because it can be used that way, doesn’t mean it should be. The best video experiences are created when video is treated as a way to enhance in-person interactions, not replace them, and to do things better on video than in person.