How to make a Top 5 countdown video with AI
Pick a topic. Ivy builds the list, sources real images, paces the reveal toward #1, and adds a music drop. Ready in three minutes.
why this format works
Countdown videos are the most reliably-engaging format on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts — anticipation toward #1 keeps viewers watching to the end. Use this format for music charts, sports rankings, "best of" lists, year-in-review compilations, or product comparisons. Use a different format if you're explaining a single thing (use product launch) or telling a story (use founder story).
what ivy does
What's automated, scene by scene.
Builds the list
Give it a topic, ivy researches and proposes a 5- or 10-entry ranking. You can re-order, add, remove in chat before rendering.
Sources real images
For each entry, ivy finds an authoritative image — album art, official photos, product shots, screenshots. Wikimedia and official press kits first, then AI-generated as a fallback.
Paces the reveal
Slower at #5, faster as you climb, dramatic stop on #1. This pacing is what makes countdowns feel like a payoff rather than a list.
Adds music with a drop
Royalty-free countdown-style music with a beat drop on #1. The drop is what makes countdowns work — don't disable it unless you really want a dry list.
Returns a brief you can edit
Re-order the ranking, swap any image, change the music, override the topic — all in chat before render.
make one in five minutes
Five steps. Five minutes.
Pick a topic
"Top 5 movies of 2024." "Top 10 indie games on Steam." "Best protein powders." Be specific — vague topics produce vague rankings.
Confirm or edit the ranking
Ivy proposes; you re-order or swap. Say "#3 should be #1" or "replace #4 with [thing]".
Press Render
Vertical 9:16 by default. Ivy returns an MP4 in 3-5 minutes.
Refine via chat
"Use a different image for #2." "Make the music more intense." "Add a 5-word reason for each entry."
Post to TikTok / Reels / Shorts
Download or post directly to X. For TikTok and Reels, download and upload to those platforms.
what to watch out for
Hard-won lessons from shipping these.
Image rights
Ivy uses Wikimedia, official press kits, and openly-licensed sources first. Album art and movie posters fall under fair use for most editorial uses, but ivy will not use trademarked logos for commercial ads. Check before posting if it's brand-adjacent or sponsored.
Ranking justification
The "why" matters. Ask ivy to "explain in 5 words why each entry is ranked where it is" — this gives the video editorial weight rather than feeling like a random list.
Don't disable the music drop
The beat drop on #1 is what makes countdowns work. If you're committed to a no-music version, you'll lose the payoff. Use a different format if you want quiet.
Length sweet spot
25-45 seconds for Top 5 vertical. 45-75 seconds for Top 10. Past those windows, retention drops off a cliff. Faster than 1.5 sec per entry feels rushed; slower than 4 sec feels padded.
Reveal pacing
Slower at the start (3 sec on #5), faster in the middle (1.5 sec on #4-#3), and a long pause on #1 (4-5 sec) for the reveal. Default ivy timing is good — only override if you have a specific reason.
Topic specificity
"Top 5 things" produces nothing useful. "Top 5 chess openings for beginners" or "Top 10 dividend stocks of 2024" produces a real ranking. The more specific the topic, the better the result.
try one of these prompts
Steal these.
faq
Common questions.
Yes. Say "use this list" and paste your ranking. Ivy will pace it and source images for each entry.
Your first one's on us.
Paste a URL, get a video back in three minutes. Two free credits to start.