Not too long ago, TikTok took the world by storm with its 15-60 second videos that created a new platform for marketing and creativity. With billions of users and a new, creative way to share content, Instagram had to get in on the fun. Cue Instagram Reels.
Similar to TikTok videos, Instagram Reels are used for creating and sharing videos for up to 30 seconds. Users can film a Reel inside the app, upload an existing video from their camera roll or post their TikTok directly into Instagram Reels.
Reels can be used to capture the attention of users with short-form video content and many brands have started implementing Reels into their social media strategy. They are perfect for brands to utilize if they want to answer Q&As, showcase products, share educational content and showcase creativity.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, has stated in a video on his Instagram that he wants to go big on video in an effort to compete directly with TikTok. “We’re no longer a photo-sharing app,” says Mosseri. “ Video is driving an immense amount of growth for all the major platforms right now and it’s one I think we need to lean more into.”
According to The Verge, with this push for video through Reels, Instagram will be using an algorithm to show users videos that will interest them based on their own activity on their account. Instagram is testing out a feature that will show users Reels of people they aren’t following yet, which enables user’s videos to get more engagement on their Reels than their stories or static posts.
The goal of Instagram’s Reel algorithm is for users to enjoy and engage with this content and doing so by controlling which Reels are shown to which users. Search Engine Journal claims Instagram determines this if a certain individual will:
- Watch a Reel the entire way through
- “Like” the Reel
- Think the Reel was entertaining or funny
- Go to the audio page of that Reel to then make their own content with the same audio.
Hootsuite states that many individuals have also seen their follower counts and engagement rates increase after implementing Reels into their content. One Instagram creator says she gained 2,800+ followers by posting a Reel every day for a month.
Later Media shared on their blog that since introducing Reels to its Instagram channel last year, they have seen the page’s engagement grow by 280%. According to K6, they aren’t the only ones. From big brands like Sephora and Louis Vuitton to small local brands, implementing Reels has shown great success with brands’ engagement growth.
With the addition of the Reels tab, content from these videos on the Explore Page and a Reels section on your own profile, users can’t miss seeing this newer form of content when exploring the app. Social Tradia and Later Blog believe the corporate push for Reels and algorithms can help anyone go viral on the Instagram Explore Page. These key features can really help impact your Instagram growth. If you wish to go viral, creating Reels on Instagram is a great tactic to get your content noticed by the algorithm!
Time to get Reeling!