# Review — YouTube Long Format

> Reviewing products, films, books, restaurants, services. Honest assessment. 5-20 min typical.

## Format basics

- Length: 5-20 min typical
- Aspect: 16:9
- Honest assessment
- Specific criteria
- Recommendation clear
- Often topical (new releases)

## Structure

```
0-30s    HOOK
         What's being reviewed
         Quick take/verdict

30s-2min INTRO
         Context (who I am, why review this)
         Disclaimer if needed (sponsored, etc.)

2-12min  REVIEW
         Criteria-based
         Specific examples
         Pros + cons

12-15min VERDICT
         Clear recommendation
         Who it's for
         Who it's NOT for

15-17min CTA + COMPARISON
         Subscribe
         Compare to alternatives
         Next video tease
```

## Sample 12-min review

```
"Karavan Coffee Subscription — Honest 6-Month Review"

0-30s: HOOK
- Kitchen counter with multiple Karavan boxes
- "I've been subscribing to Karavan Coffee for 6 months. Here's
my honest review. No sponsorship."

30s-2min: INTRO
- Who I am (coffee enthusiast, former barista)
- Why I started this subscription
- What I'll cover today

2-4min: WHAT YOU GET
- Show monthly box contents
- Three bags, tasting notes
- Packaging quality
- Roast freshness

4-6min: COFFEE QUALITY
- Brewing each blend
- Tasting demonstrations
- Specific notes
- Honest assessment

6-8min: EXPERIENCE / SERVICE
- Delivery reliability
- Customer service
- Subscription management ease

8-10min: VALUE
- Price breakdown
- Per-cup cost
- Comparison to other options
- Is it worth it?

10-11min: PROS + CONS
On screen list:
PROS: Quality, freshness, packaging, service
CONS: Limited blend variety, no espresso option

11-12min: VERDICT
- "If you're a pour-over or French press drinker who values quality:
yes."
- "If you mostly drink espresso: skip this."
- Final recommendation

12-12:30: CTA
- "Have you tried this? Comment your experience"
- "Subscribe for more honest reviews"
- "Next week: comparing Karavan vs ___"
```

## Key principles

### Honest assessment
- Don't oversell
- Real critiques
- Trust through truth

### Specific criteria
- Standard you measure against
- Consistent across reviews
- Comparable to other reviews

### Clear recommendation
- Who is it for?
- Who isn't it for?
- Clear yes/no/maybe

### Disclosure
- Sponsored? Disclose.
- Sample provided? Disclose.
- Conflicts of interest? Disclose.

### Specific examples
- Show, don't just tell
- Quotes, screenshots, demos

## Sub-types

### Product review
- Tech, gear, household
- Build quality, function
- Long-term use feedback

### Film/TV review
- Recent releases
- Spoiler-free or full
- Genre comparison

### Book review
- Recent reads
- Genre comparison
- Recommendation

### Restaurant review
- Local establishments
- Food, service, atmosphere
- Price/value

### Service review
- Software, subscription
- Experience over time
- Value assessment

## When to use

- Building authority in niche
- Affiliate marketing potential
- Sponsorship opportunities
- Audience trust building
- SEO-friendly (search-driven)

## Common mistakes

- Fake enthusiasm
- Hidden sponsorship
- No real criteria
- Generic praise
- No clear recommendation
- Missing context (who you are)

## Sponsored vs honest

If sponsored:
- Disclose at top
- Maintain honesty (don't fake love)
- Audience trust > one-time payment

If honest (unpaid):
- State explicitly
- Audience appreciates
- Long-term trust valuable
