# What is a motion prompt?

> A motion prompt tells an image-to-video tool what should move and what must stay the same. The parts of a good one, with the candle example from DomoAI.

Source: https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/motion-prompt · Updated 2026-10-11 · Free from Stepthrough (https://learn.ynteractive.com)

[Prompting](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary#topic-prompting) · [AI glossary](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary)

Quick answer

A motion prompt is the instruction you give an image-to-video tool. It says what moves, how the camera behaves, and just as importantly what must stay exactly the same, so the product in the clip still matches the photo.

Last updated October 11, 2026

Updated October 11, 2026 · By [Robert Breen](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/about)

## Why it matters for a small business

Without direction, an AI video tool decides what moves, and it may change the product. A motion prompt gives you control. The lesson's prompt names a subject, one clear action, the setting, the style, a camera move and what must not change.

The last part is the one beginners skip. Telling the tool the candle, label and table must stay the same keeps the clip honest. Then you watch the clip to check that only the flame moves.

Think of the prompt as a short brief to a camera operator who has never seen your product. They need to know what to film, the one thing that should move, how the shot should feel and what they are not allowed to change. Writing it in that order makes it easy to check afterward, because each part of the clip has a line in the prompt to answer to.

## In a real lesson: DomoAI: Turn a Product Photo into a Short Video for Social

In the [lesson](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/domoai-image-to-video-product-photo-social-video), Nora writes the motion prompt for the Amber Cedar candle for Hearth & Wick Candle Co. It names the candle, a single action, the setting, the style, a camera move and what must stay the same.

After **Generate**, she clicks **Play** and checks that the candle, label and table stay the same and that the flame is the only thing that moves. If something odd appeared, she would make another version.

[Try this lesson free](https://learn.ynteractive.com/modules/domoai-image-to-video) or [read the step-by-step guide](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/domoai-image-to-video-product-photo-social-video).

## Common confusions

### Motion prompt vs a normal prompt

A normal prompt asks for words or a picture. A motion prompt describes movement over a few seconds.

### More detail vs more motion

Detail in the prompt helps. Asking for many actions in five seconds usually doesn't.

## Tips

- Give one clear action.
- Say what must not change.
- Keep the clip short, such as 5s.
- Reuse a prompt that worked and swap in only the product name, so each new clip stays consistent with the last.

## Related terms

[Image to video](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/image-to-video) · [Role, Context, Task, Format](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/role-context-task-format) · [Prompt constraints](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/prompt-constraints) · [Prompt](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/prompt)

## More Prompting terms

[Output format](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/output-format) · [Prompt chaining](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/prompt-chaining) · [Prompt engineering](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/prompt-engineering) · [Prompt injection](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary/prompt-injection)

## Where you use it: free lessons

- [DomoAI: Turn a Product Photo into a Short Video for Social](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/domoai-image-to-video-product-photo-social-video) (DomoAI, 6 min)

## Prompt templates that use it

[Product photo motion prompt](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/prompts/product-photo-motion-prompt)

## Frequently asked questions

**What goes in a motion prompt?**

A subject, one clear action, the setting, the style, a camera move and what must not change.

**How long should the clip be?**

The lesson clicks 5s, saying a short clip with one clear action works best.

**What if the product changes in the clip?**

Generate another version and compare the two, then download the better one.

[All AI glossary terms, A to Z](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/glossary) · [Free prompt templates](https://learn.ynteractive.com/content/prompts)