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What is Google Veo?Veo version historyVeo versions comparedWhich Veo should you use?Veo prompting tipsFrequently asked questionsVeo is Google DeepMind's family of text-to-video and image-to-video models, available in the Gemini app, Flow, Google AI Studio, the Gemini API and Vertex AI. It is known for cinematic realism, accurate physics and — since Veo 3 — native audio with dialogue, sound effects and music generated together with the picture.
The current generation is Veo 3.1, offered as standard, Fast and the low-cost Lite tier. In 2026 Google also launched Gemini Omni, a separate any-to-any model for conversational video creation and editing. Rekreate includes Veo 3.1 Fast and Veo 3.1 Lite, plus Gemini Omni video editing.
- Veo 3 (May 2025) introduced native audio — the feature that made Veo go viral.
- Veo 3.1 (October 2025) added reference images, first/last frame and scene extension; 4K and native vertical output followed in early 2026.
- Veo 3.1 Lite (2026) is Google's most affordable Veo tier (720p/1080p).
- In Rekreate: Veo 3.1 Fast (720p/1080p/4K), Veo 3.1 Lite for start-end frame transitions and extension.
What is Google Veo?
Veo is Google's flagship generative video model, developed by Google DeepMind. It turns text prompts and images into short, high-fidelity videos with strong understanding of cinematography terms ("timelapse", "aerial shot", "rack focus"), realistic lighting and physics.
Every Veo output carries an invisible SynthID watermark identifying it as AI-generated. Veo is used for ads, film previsualization, social content and b-roll — and since Veo 3, for complete scenes with spoken dialogue.
Veo version history
Veo
Announced at Google I/O 2024: 1080p clips beyond a minute in demos, strong cinematic prompt understanding. Silent video, limited access via VideoFX.
Veo 2
Major leap in realism and physics, with better understanding of camera and lens language; demos up to 4K. Rolled out to YouTube Shorts, Vertex AI and the Gemini API (720p, 8-second clips).
Veo 3
Introduced native audio: dialogue with lip-sync, sound effects and ambience generated with the video. 8-second clips at 720p/1080p. Veo 3 Fast followed as a quicker, cheaper variant.
Veo 3.1 and Veo 3.1 Fast In Rekreate
Richer audio, better prompt adherence and narrative control: reference images ("ingredients to video"), first and last frame transitions and scene extension for longer sequences. 4, 6 or 8-second clips.
Veo 3.1 4K & vertical update In Rekreate
Added 4K output and native 9:16 vertical generation, aimed at professional and short-form use. 4K generations are 8 seconds.
Veo 3.1 Lite In Rekreate
Google's most cost-effective Veo tier, priced from about $0.05 per second: 720p/1080p, 16:9 and 9:16, text- and image-to-video for high-volume use.
Gemini Omni (related) In Rekreate
Not a Veo version but Google's new any-to-any model for conversational video generation and editing; Gemini Omni 1.1 Flash followed in August 2026.
Dates from Google announcements; availability and limits differ between the Gemini app, Flow, Gemini API and Vertex AI.
Veo versions compared
| Capability | Veo 2 | Veo 3 | Veo 3.1 / Fast | Veo 3.1 Lite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native audio | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ richer | Varies by provider |
| Clip length | Up to 8 s | 8 s | 4, 6 or 8 s (+ extension) | 4–8 s |
| Resolution | 720p (API) | 720p / 1080p | 720p / 1080p / 4K | 720p / 1080p |
| Reference images | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | Image-to-video |
| First / last frame | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ (in Rekreate) |
| Vertical 9:16 | Limited | Limited | ✓ native | ✓ |
| In Rekreate | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ Fast | ✓ |
Which Veo should you use?
- Hero shots, product films, 4K deliverables: Veo 3.1 Fast at 1080p or 4K.
- Transitions between two images (before/after, scene A → scene B): Veo 3.1 Lite start & end frame.
- Longer sequences: generate an 8-second clip, then extend it.
- High-volume b-roll on a budget: Veo 3.1 Lite.
- Editing an existing short clip with natural language: Gemini Omni.
For 15–30-second single takes or multi-shot storytelling, compare Seedance 2.5 and Kling 3.0 Omni.
Veo prompting tips
- Write like a director: shot type, subject, action, setting, lighting, lens, mood.
- Add audio cues explicitly: "She whispers: 'Did you hear that?' Distant thunder, creaking floorboards."
- Keep dialogue short — a single 8-second clip fits one or two lines.
- Use reference images for consistent products and characters across clips.
- Avoid on-screen text requests; add captions in post for accuracy.
- In Rekreate, Magic Prompt rewrites your wording for clearer results and content-policy compliance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the latest version of Google Veo?
As of September 2026 the latest Veo generation is Veo 3.1, available as Veo 3.1, Veo 3.1 Fast and Veo 3.1 Lite. Google's newer Gemini Omni is a separate any-to-any model for video generation and editing.
Does Veo generate audio?
Yes. Veo 3 introduced native audio, and Veo 3.1 improves it with richer dialogue, sound effects and ambience synchronized to the video.
How long are Veo videos?
Veo 3.1 generates 4, 6 or 8-second clips, and 4K clips are 8 seconds. Longer sequences are created with scene extension.
Can Veo make vertical videos for TikTok?
Yes. Since the January 2026 update, Veo 3.1 supports native 9:16 vertical generation.
What is the difference between Veo 3.1 Fast and Veo 3.1 Lite?
Fast offers higher quality and up to 4K output; Lite is the cheapest tier with 720p/1080p output for high-volume use. In Rekreate, Lite powers start-end frame transitions and extensions.
Are Veo videos watermarked?
Veo outputs include Google's invisible SynthID watermark. Some consumer apps also add a visible watermark depending on plan.
Can I use Veo in Rekreate?
Yes. Rekreate offers Veo 3.1 Fast (720p, 1080p, 4K) and Veo 3.1 Lite for start & end frame transitions and video extension.
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