Client Overview
A D2C lifestyle brand running performance campaigns on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. While video ads performed well in English, regional audiences showed low engagement and CTR.
Target Markets: India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia
Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts
Business Challenge
- English-only videos have limited reach in regional feeds
- High impressions but low engagement rate
- Low click-through rates on paid video ads
- Inconsistent messaging across regions
Objectives
- Increase engagement rate on short-form videos
- Improve CTR on video ads
- Drive organic follower growth
- Maintain brand tone across languages
VerboLabs Video Localization Solution
Scope of Work
VerboLabs localized 120+ short-form videos (15–45 seconds):
1. Subtitle Localization
- Burned-in subtitles for mobile-first viewing
- Optimized reading speed for short attention spans
- Languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia
2. Voiceover Localization (Selective)
- Used for high-performing ads
- Native voice artists matched brand personality
- Short CTA phrases localized for impact
3. Cultural Adaptation
- Adjusted slang, humor, and CTA tone
- Replaced region-irrelevant references
- Retained brand consistency
KPIs Measured (60 Days Post-Campaign)
1. Engagement Rate
| Platform | Before | After Localization |
| Instagram Reels | 1.8% | 4.6% (+155%) |
| TikTok | 2.1% | 5.2% (+148%) |
| YouTube Shorts | 1.5% | 3.9% (+160%) |
2. Click-Through Rate (CTR)
- Average CTR improved from 0.7% to 1.9%
- Localized CTA videos outperformed English-only by 2.6x
3. Follower Growth
- Monthly follower growth increased 3.2x
- Regional language videos drove 68% of new followers
- Higher saves and shares in local-language content
Cost & Efficiency Insight
- Localizing short-form videos costs 35–45% less than creating new regional videos from scratch
- Faster turnaround enabled rapid A/B testing across languages
Client Feedback
“Localized short videos helped us speak directly to regional audiences. Engagement skyrocketed once people heard and read content in their own language.”
— Head of Performance Marketing, D2C Brand
Key Takeaways
- Multilingual social videos dramatically improve engagement
- Subtitles alone can double performance on mobile
- Localization scales faster than recreating content
- Short-form video + localization is a high-ROI combo
Conclusion
This case study clearly shows that short-form video performance is no longer just about creative quality—it’s about linguistic and cultural relevance. While the brand already had strong visuals and messaging, real growth began only after the content was localized for regional audiences.
By adapting subtitles, voiceovers, and CTAs to match local language preferences and viewing behavior, VerboLabs helped turn passive impressions into meaningful engagement. The sharp rise in engagement rates, CTR, and follower growth proves that audiences respond better when brands speak their language—literally and culturally.
Most importantly, this approach delivered results without increasing production costs. Instead of creating new regional videos from scratch, localization allowed the brand to scale faster, test more variations, and maximize ROI across platforms.
For D2C brands running performance-driven social campaigns, this case confirms one thing: multilingual video localization is not a creative extra—it’s a growth lever. When short-form content is localized strategically, it drives stronger connections, better ad performance, and sustainable audience growth across markets.
Want higher engagement and CTR from your social video campaigns?
Let VerboLabs localize your short-form videos with native subtitles, voiceovers, and culturally adapted CTAs—without increasing production costs.
Request a free video localization demo today.
Boost engagement and CTR with VerboLabs’ video localization. Get a free demo.
