While the future of American TikTok is in jeopardy under Trump’s presidency, Instagram has released its rival format: Reels.
Considering TikTok's soaring popularity, we’re not shocked.
In fact, TikTok now has 800 million active users. It is also the most downloaded app ever in a single quarter. The platform’s core demographic is quickly changing too, moving from Gen-Z users to Millennials. This means that it’s a far more attractive prospect for advertisers.
Instagram’s decision to capitalise on this demand makes sense. With the success of Stories and IGTV, Reels give users more creative freedom. The sort of freedom they’re used to on TikTok. With one billion users already broadcasting on the platform, Reels adds another string to the content creator’s bow. And another way for advertisers to make money.
The basics
With Reels, users can:- Create multiple 15-second clips and edit them together into one piece of film.
- Set their films to music, which is available to browse within the platform.
- Upload pre-existing video content or create new content.
- Edit clip length, add stickers, draw on the clip, add text, change the clip’s speed and add Instagram filters.
- Share to their story, grid, and under the Reels tab on their feed.