Watch Out TikTok! Meta Unveils New Instagram Reels Features
Are you ready for some Reel-talk? With over a billion monthly active users, it would come as no surprise that Instagram is one of the biggest social media platforms out there. And let’s face it, most of us have probably been guilty of spending way too much time mindlessly scrolling through our feeds without second thought.
To spice things up a bit, Meta (formerly known as Facebook) has just introduced some brand new features to Reels that are sure to elevate your content game. Start taking advantage of them before you fall behind!
What Are Instagram Reels?
For those of you that need a refresher, ‘Reels’ are short-form videos (up to 90 seconds) that you can create and share on Instagram. Think of them as bite-sized entertainment that’s perfect for capturing attention and getting your point across quickly. They’re similar to TikTok, but with an Instagram twist.
So, why did Instagram decide to launch Reels in the first place? Well, a large part would be thanks to the growing popularity of TikTok. TikTok took the social media world by storm, and it quickly became the go-to app for short-form video content. Instagram saw the success of TikTok and realised that they needed to add something similar to their platform to keep up with the times. And that’s where Reels come in.
What’s The Difference Between Using Instagram Reels And TikTok?
If you’re trying to decide between Instagram Reels and TikTok, it’s important to understand some key differences between the two platforms.
Video Duration
If you’re wondering what sets Instagram Reels apart from TikTok, let’s start with the basics – video length. TikTok used to only allow 15-second clips at most, but has since increased the allowance to a whopping 10 minutes! Meanwhile, Instagram Reels currently max out at 90 seconds, which is up from 60 seconds just last year.
It seems like TikTok is gunning for YouTube’s territory with the launch of long-form videos. So if you’re itching to unleash your creativity with both short and long videos, TikTok might be the way to go. But if you prefer to keep things snappy and to the point, Instagram Reels has got you covered.
Target Audience
While TikTok has a reputation for being popular among younger generations, Instagram has a more diverse user base. According to studies ¼ TikTok users are between 10 and 19, whereas the biggest age group on Instagram is between 25 to 34.
This means that if you’re looking to reach a wider audience, Reels might be the better choice for you.
Advertising Options
Instagram Reels ads are much more widely used than those on TikTok. One reason for this could be because TikTok ads tend to be more expensive. Another thing to keep in mind is that TikTok has a lot of different ad types to choose from, like In-Feed Ads, Brand Takeover, TopView, Branded Hashtag Challenge, and Branded Effects.
We’re not going to lie; it can be a bit overwhelming if you’re new to the platform and not sure where to start. On the other hand, Instagram Reels ads are pretty straightforward. They’re displayed alongside organic Reels in Explore, Stories, Feed, and the Reels Tab.
Music
TikTok‘s audio library is more extensive and has fewer pesky copyright restrictions. TikTok even allows users to upload their own sounds and remixes, making it easier to jump on the latest trends and create viral content. On the bright side, Instagram has addressed some of these issues in the recent update to Reels.
Latest Features of Instagram Reels
With no further ado, here’s what’s new with the latest Instagram Reels update:
Tracking Trends
If you’re always on the prowl for new ideas and inspiration, then you’re in for a treat. The folks at Meta have made it a whole lot easier to keep you on the cutting edge of the latest trends.
With this new feature, you can easily discover the top trending songs on Reels and see how many times they’ve been used. Say goodbye to the struggle of finding the perfect background music to make your videos go viral!
And if you find a song you can’t get enough of, you can save it for future use in your own Reels. It’s about time Instagram caught up to what TikTok was already doing!
Additional Reel Insights
No one likes to take shots in the dark. And with Meta adding more Reel insights for creators, you won’t have to!
For one, you can now see the total watch time for each Reel. This nifty metric shows you the total amount of time your Reel has been played. So now you can see just how much love your Reels are getting from your followers.
You can also see the average watch time for each Reel. This metric shows you the average amount of time people spend watching your Reel. It’s calculated by dividing the total watch time by the number of plays. So if your Reel has a high average watch time, you know you’re doing something right!
Simpler Editing
Editing your Reels is practically a piece of cake after Meta’s latest update. Now you can seamlessly combine video clips, stickers, audio, and text all in one handy screen. It’s like having your own personal editing studio right at your fingertips!
With these new tools available for both iOS and Android users, you can bring your creative vision to life and showcase your viral-worthy creations to the world. And if you thought these features were impressive, just wait, there’s more to come! Meta has promised to roll out even more editing features in the future, so stay tuned.
Giving Gifts on Reels
Get ready to show some love to your favourite creators because Meta now lets you send them gifts directly on Reels! This new feature allows fans to send gifts to their favourite creators, and they’ll receive a notification when they’ve received one.
So that your dedication doesn’t go unnoticed, creators can also now see which fans have sent them gifts by tapping on the heart icon next to their name. Who knows, they might just give you a shoutout in their next Reel!
Why You Should Try Instagram Reels
There are so many benefits to using Reels that can help you grow your following and increase engagement. Let’s dive into a few of them, shall we?
Visibility
Reels are a great way to boost your visibility on the platform. Instagram’s algorithm favours content that keeps people engaged and on the app, and Reels are perfect for that. They’re short, eye-catching, and can be displayed to the Explore page, which means they have the potential to reach a wider audience than just your followers. So, if you’re looking to increase your reach and get your content seen by more people, Reels are a great way to do it.
Shareability
Another benefit of Reels is that they’re super shareable. When someone comes across a Reel they love, they can easily share it to their own Instagram Stories or send it to their friends. This means that if you create a Reel that really resonates with people, it has the potential to go viral and be shared by tons of people. And that can mean a huge boost in followers and engagement for you!
Showcasing Your Personality
Reels allow you to get creative with music, filters, and text, which means you can really make your content and personality stand out. Plus, Reels are a great way to give your followers a behind-the-scenes look at your life or business. Whether you’re showing off your daily routine or giving a sneak peek of your upcoming product launch, Reels are a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience.
Reel in More Business With First Page’s Instagram Ad Services
If you want to maximise your presence and exposure on Instagram, your best bet is to combine Reels with Instagram ads.
And who better to help you out with that than the Instagram Ad Specialists at First Page?
With First Page, you’ll be able to create engaging ads that will get people talking and, more importantly, clicking on your profile. We aren’t kidding when we say we can make your brand the reel-deal (get it?)!
So don’t wait around for your competitors to steal the spotlight. Contact First Page today and let us help you take your Instagram presence to new heights.
