Seven reasons to put your camera on in virtual and hybrid meetings. Latest Research, Best Practices, and Actionable Insights for 2026

Turning your camera on in virtual meetings is proven to increase engagement, visibility, and team cohesion. Recent studies (2023–2025) show camera use correlates with higher retention, productivity, and trust, while excessive meetings and mandatory video can cause fatigue. This blog summarizes the latest findings, practical strategies, and best practices for managers and teams to optimize virtual meeting culture for 2026 and beyond.

What does recent research say about camera use in virtual meetings?

Q: Does camera use impact engagement and retention?
Yes. A 2024 Vyopta study of 450,000 employees and 40 million meetings found that employees who left their organizations within a year turned their cameras on in only 18.4% of small group meetings, compared to 32.5% for those who stayed. Lower camera use and participation were strong predictors of attrition.

Q: How do professionals perceive camera use?
A 2023 Korn Ferry survey revealed that 76% of professionals believe leaving cameras off is viewed negatively, and 60% say it’s a “career minimizing move.” 75% agree that more can be accomplished when cameras are on, with engagement cited as the top benefit. However, 65% do not support mandatory camera policies, citing fatigue and privacy concerns.

Q: Are there downsides to excessive meetings and mandatory camera use?
Yes. Recent academic research highlights that excessive meetings and forced camera use can lead to cognitive overload, burnout, and reduced job satisfaction. Recommendations include meeting-free periods, asynchronous updates, and balancing video with audio-only options.

What Are the Benefits of Turning Your Camera On?

Q: How does camera use affect communication and trust?

1. Visibility and Proximity Bias: Being seen makes you more memorable and helps overcome proximity bias. People remember what they see more than what they hear.
2. Presence and Engagement: Cameras signal active participation and interest, reducing multitasking and distractions.
3. Nonverbal Communication: Facial expressions and body language improve understanding and reduce misunderstandings.
4. Trust and Rapport: Teams that use video build trust more effectively. Visual cues foster stronger relationships and accountability.
5. Holding yourself accountable, it makes you more likely to engage and discourages multitasking. Multitasking is one of the most counterproductive meeting behaviours
6. Support and Feedback: Seeing colleagues allows for nonverbal encouragement and active listening. Presenting to a “void” is challenging and less effective.
7. Hybrid Meeting Inclusion: In hybrid settings, remote participants without video risk being forgotten or excluded.

What Are the Risks and Challenges?

Q: What causes “Zoom fatigue” and how can it be managed?

• Fatigue Factors: Constant eye contact, mirror anxiety, limited mobility, and cognitive load are key contributors. 45–49% of employees report fatigue after virtual meetings, and 55% experience “camera fatigue.”
• Privacy and Bandwidth: Some employees prefer not to share their backgrounds or have limited internet access. Virtual backgrounds and flexible policies help address these concerns.
• Meeting Inflation: The ease of scheduling virtual meetings has led to more frequent, often unnecessary meetings, increasing decision fatigue and reducing productivity.

How Can Managers Encourage Camera Use Without Causing Burnout?

Q: What practical steps can organizations take?

• Set Clear Expectations: Communicate when and why cameras should be on, especially for introductions, brainstorming, or sensitive topics.
• Lead by Example: Managers and facilitators should keep their cameras on and welcome both in-room and remote participants.
• Use Engagement Hooks: Start meetings with ice-breakers, polls, or check-ins. Encourage participation every 3–5 minutes to maintain engagement.
• Offer Flexibility: Allow camera breaks during long sessions and avoid singling out individuals. Use virtual backgrounds for privacy.
• Monitor Engagement: Use analytics to track participation and adjust meeting practices. Focus on fewer, shorter, and clearer meetings.
• Hybrid Meeting Design: Ensure remote participants are visible and included. Use room cameras, nominate chat monitors, and repeat questions for remote viewers.

Expert tip – If you are hosting an online meeting, join early with your camera on and as each individual arrives welcome them and ask them a question, early arrivals are much more likely to put their cameras on and this sets the pattern. Kevan Hall

See more practical virtual and hybrid meeting tips and techniques in our training programs

What Do the Latest Statistics Reveal About Virtual Meetings in 2025?

Practical Checklist for Managers

Key Takeaways

• Camera use in virtual meetings is linked to higher engagement, retention, and productivity.
• Excessive meetings and mandatory video can cause fatigue; balance is essential.
• Set clear expectations, lead by example, and use engagement strategies.
• Offer flexibility and respect privacy concerns.
• Use analytics and feedback to continuously improve meeting culture.

Author and Sources

Written by Kevan Hall, CEO, Global Integration.  Kevan developed the world’s first virtual teams training in 1994 and is the author of Leading Remote and virtual teams and Kill Bad Meetings

For further reading, see:

• Korn Ferry Survey on Camera Use
• Inc.com: Camera-Off Time and Retention
• Entrepreneur: Pros and Cons of Cameras On
• Microsoft Teams Best Practices
• Zoom Video Conferencing Statistics

Internal Links:

• Virtual and Hybrid Meetings Training