It’s no secret that video is the medium of the future. Viral snippets and live recordings have made their way to every social media platform, including Instagram. While the app has had video capability since 2013, a new feature is giving users even more creative possibilities: Instagram Reels.
In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Instagram Reels and how you can use them to grow your account and attract new followers.
Instagram Reels are 30-second multi-clip videos that come with the ability to add popular songs, cool AR effects, and other creative tools like text and GIFs. You can either post Reels to your Instagram Feed or make them available to be discovered on the app’s new Explore space, Reels in Explore.
In addition to being shared on your Feed, Reels also live in a designated section on your profile.
Reels are probably the most similar to the popular video-sharing app, TikTok. However, there are a few key differences:
Instagram Reels and Stories may seem like similar ways to post videos on Instagram, but there are a few major differences that set them apart:
And finally, one more in-app feature similar to Reels is IGTV. While they’re both video-sharing tools you can use to grow your audience, they do so in different ways:
If you don’t yet have Reels on your Instagram app, it’s possible that the feature hasn’t rolled out to your location yet. You can also try updating your app within the App Store.
Now that you know the basics of Instagram Reels — and how it compares to other similar features and social media platforms — it’s time to learn how to make one.
Time needed: 5 minutes
Below are steps you can follow to record your first Instagram Reel.
After you open your Instagram app, press the “+” button at the bottom-center of the screen. Scroll right until you see the Reels option.
Press the top button on the lefthand side to choose whether you want to record a 15-second video or a 30-second video. You can record videos that are under each of those times.
Before you start shooting, you need to select the song or sound you’re going to use. Press the music icon at the left of the screen, and search or browse for the song you’d like to use. Then select your song by pressing on it and choose which part of the audio you want.
You can also use your own audio by simply recording without adding any music. When you do that, your sound will be saved as “Original Audio,” and you can use it for future Reels. If your account is public, other people can also use your audio for Reels.
Next, you’ll want to select the speed of your video. There are five speed options to choose from, ranging from .3X to 3X. Some beginners find that slowing the video down makes it easier to sync up to the audio. Press the play button at the left of the screen to select your speed.
Similar to Instagram Stories, you have the option of adding a filter or effect from Instagram’s gallery. You can also record multiple clips with different effects.
Press the effects button at the bottom-left of the screen and scroll through the options until you find the one you wish to use.
Now it’s time to set your timer. Press the clock button at the left of the screen, and choose the amount of time you’d like your video to be. Then press the countdown button to choose a 3-second or 10-second countdown. When you’re ready, press “Set Timer.”
If you’re ready to record, press the record button at the center of the screen. Recording is similar to that of Instagram Stories, except you can see your recording progress at the top of the screen.
You can either record a single video or a series of clips, or you can upload multiple clips from your Camera Roll (as long as they’re under the 15- or 30-second time limit you’ve set).
Press the arrow button next to the record button. From here, you can add effects to your Reel by pressing one of the three buttons at the top-right of the screen. Similar to Stories, you can add text, draw something, or add a GIF or sticker by pressing the sticker button at the top of the screen.
Once you’re ready, press the arrow button at the bottom-right of the screen. Here, you can choose to share the Reel to Reels in Explore, your Feed, or your Stories.
After you decided where you want your new creation to go, press the Share button. You can also save it as a draft if you want to work on it more before posting.
Adding a Reel to your Instagram feed is very easy. Here’s how to do it:
Turning on this switch will post your Reel to your Feed once you press “Share.”
Whether you accidentally posted a draft that wasn’t ready, or you’re having second thoughts about your debut into the Reel world, archiving and deleting your multi-clip videos is simple. Here’s how to do it:
If you delete your Reel, it will be permanently removed from your profile. If you archive it, it will be removed from your profile, but still visible in the Archives section of your app, where you can re-add it to your profile at any time.
In order for your Reel to go viral, you need to get it picked for the top of Instagram’s Reels to Explore page. When you do, you’ll receive a notification letting you know that your video has been selected. This can happen anywhere from immediately after posting to a few days after publishing.
Below are our top five tips for going viral, but before you dive into those, it’s important to note that your account has to be public in order to land a coveted spot on the Explore page.
Don’t limit the number of ways people can stumble upon your new Reel. Share it not only to the Explore page and your Feed, but to your Stories as well.
Trending songs, dances and topics are popular for a reason. Join the fun and jump in on a few trends. Just make sure to put your own spin on it so you stand out amongst the crowd.
Using popular and relevant hashtags on your Reel’s caption can help increase your exposure and likelihood of getting picked for the Explore page. Make sure the ones you choose are relevant and not spammy or broken.
If you have a professional account, you can use Instagram Insights to see how well your Reels are performing and what content your audience is responding to the most. Utilize that information to help you create the kind of Reels your audience wants to see.
The more active you are using Instagram Reels, the more likely one of your videos will be picked for the Explore page. Make this new feature a regular part of your social media strategy.
If you’re Reels aren’t getting any views, you might want to check your privacy settings. If your account is private, then only your followers can view your Reels.
Instagram Reels are yet another fantastic way to connect with your audience and create content they enjoy. When used correctly (and consistently), Instagram Reels can help you grow your account and reach new people.