Instagram’s long time coming TikTok competitor is finally official. Instagram Reels is a new way to create and discover short, entertaining videos on Instagram, the company said. In simple terms, Reels is the name Instagram is giving to short 15-second multi-clip videos.
Reels works in a TikTok-y way; you record and edit short 15-second multi-clip videos. The videos can be added with some effects as well, including audio.
Like IGTV videos, Instagram’s feature for lengthy videos, Reels can be shared with your followers to your Feed for those with private accounts. Public account holders will have their reels spread across Instagram through a new button added in the Explore section.
Under the Reels section in Explore, Instagram has made it easier to find videos with similar embedded songs, hashtags, or effects. Besides, Reels can also be shared to your Story, close friends, or in a direct message.
However, keep in mind that reels share on the stories section or direct messages will be featured as regular Instagram stories and disappear after 24 hours.
Reels is available just at the bottom of Instagram’s camera button. There are different ways to uploading your first Reel. The first one is by a series of clips (one at a time), or recording a single clip at once, or by uploading a video from your gallery.
With its launch, Reels is now available in more than 50 countries globally on both Android and iOS.