The vertical format in the structure of the mobile media ecosystem: aesthetic and technological challenges of algorithmic curation

This article examines the transformation of the vertical format (9:16) from a marginal amateur practice into an institutionalized element of professional audiovisual production in the 2020s. Driven by smartphone-centric consumption through platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, a new aesthetic paradigm is increasingly penetrating traditional media. The research identifies four dimensions: the format's genesis within mobile media evolution; specific aesthetic features (Z-axis emphasis, accelerated editing, and intimization of communication); technological challenges in mobile-first production and distribution; and the systemic response from professional guilds and festivals. The study conceptualizes the vertical format as a core component of mobile algorithmic aesthetics. It argues that the imposition of vertical dynamics and rapid editing rhythms fosters a "clip culture" that impacts cognitive processes and signals a shift toward algorithmic governance. The findings confirm that the vertical format is a sustained factor transforming the mobile media landscape, posing complex technological challenges and profound ethical risks.