Indeed, Instagram Reels is the newest feature of Instagram. Reels allows users to create and post short videos quickly. These videos used to be 3-15 seconds long, which later extended to 30 seconds long, and can be posted on the user feed. This new feature is similar to TikTok and raises the question of whether the Instagram reel is targeting the growing popularity of TikTok, especially in the United States. However, the company recently announced an update regarding its latest features; Reels. Users Can Now Post Double the Original Video Duration, read more about it below.
When Instagram launched Stories, it was a feature similar to Snapchat. Now, Instagram Stories is much more popular than what Snapchat has to offer. Therefore, it remains to be seen whether the Instagram reel will repeat this success.
How Instagram Reels Can Benefit Your Business
Instagram introduced reels in August 2020 in 50 countries. And consumers across the country use Instagram reels for business promotion and product marketing.
But how beneficial can Reel be to small businesses? The Benefits of Instagram Reels are:
1. Early Adopters Enjoy Favorable Exposure
Usually, when Facebook introduces new functionality to any of its platforms, it prioritizes the content using the new feature, which is already true in the case of Instagram Reels. As a result, users report higher engagement and reach on their reels than other Instagram content, even when using similar or the same content in different placements.
2. Reels Content is Permanent
Instagram already offers a place to create short videos inside Stories, but Reel offers the added benefit of being permanent content, whereas Stories expire after 24 hours (unless you highlight them for your profile). Since content is quick to create, it is advisable to set aside time to batch-create lots of different reels, so you’ve them on hand to post as part of your marketing plan.
3. Save More Time When Creating Content
When you create an Instagram Feed post—unless it’s a selfie or photo—you have to design a graphic, then transfer that file to Instagram and upload it. When using Reels, you make the video on the platform, add your text, and post it. It’s fewer steps to creating content if you are used to creating graphics.
However, just as you would with other social media posts, you need to take the time to plan out your reel content.
4. You can Show Your Audience Who You Are
Reels allows you to be authentic and communicate to users one on one. With this authenticity, you can soon build a trusted community that can count on you to be honest with them. You can also use the reels to show how you are different from your competitors. Since Reel is relatively new, you may also be the first to encourage marketing to it in your industry. Use it to create buzz and grab the user’s attention.
5. You can Establish Yourself as an Industry Leader
Yes, it is also possible on Instagram. All you have to do is share information about your domain or industry via reels. Create domain related short videos with tips and tricks for users to follow. In a short, engaging 15- to 30-second video, make sure the tips and tricks are fun, fast, and actionable.
Instagram Reels Are Now Twice as Long
According to the company, the length of the Instagram reel video has been increased to 60 seconds. Previously, viewers could choose between a 15-second and 30-second video length limit, but now a much longer time limit is also possible.
The social media platform took to Twitter to announce an increase in the length of the video for the reels. After this, Instagram users will be able to create reels for 60 seconds. Reels’ main competitor, TikTok, recently increased its limit to 3 minutes to give its creators the ability to create significantly longer and more versatile content without compromising on the fast-paced nature of the platform.
To recap, Instagram Reels was launched last year as an alternative to TikTok, currently banned in some countries including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
The Reels section can be accessed through the Stories section of the app. People can tap the shutter button to create short videos for the reels and add filters, music, and more effects. They can also increase or decrease the speed of the video.
Instagram has also announced that it will bring new protections for teen customers by defaulting them into non-public accounts to make it more durable for doubtlessly suspicious accounts to seek out younger customers on the platform. Therefore, starting this week, everyone under the age of 16 (or under 18 in some countries) might be defaulted into a personal account once they be a part of Instagram.
Hence, the platform also has new features to detect and take necessary action against suspicious accounts and change the way advertisers contact individuals under 18.
For teens who currently have a public Instagram account; This will display a notice emphasizing the benefits of a private account and instructing them how to adjust their privacy settings.
“We will still give young people the option to switch to a public account or keep their current account public if they wish,” the company writes on its blog. All of these measures make it harder for potentially suspicious accounts to identify young people. It also limits advertisers’ ability to target young people.
In addition, the company is working on a “bonus” feature that is said to allow creators to earn money by creating reels. Developer Alessandro Paluzzi spotted the feature. The developer shared the screenshots, which confirmed that the “Bonus” option would not be available to regular users. The screenshot also hinted that creators get paid each time they upload a new reel.