Instagram Reels… What is it?
August 12, 2020 Vanessa Niragira
Instagram Reels, have you heard of it? Do you like it? Think it’s copying? However you feel, that is ok with us! Let’s explain to the people that are unaware of the topic at hand, shall we?
So Instagram Reels, much like the popular app TikTok, gives users the chance to make short videos using their own sound or songs that they’re able to search for. To find these Reels, you’ll simply hit the search button that takes you to your explore page and it’s the first large video that you see. From there you simply click the video and continue scrolling to watch more. If you’re just wanting to make and post a Reel you simply click the camera icon in the top left corner and click REELS at the bottom of your screen.
Right off the bat, there are some differences between Reels and TikTok. The first being that Reels has been integrated into an already established app as opposed to TikTok which was created for the sole purpose of having a platform dedicated to videos only. On TikTok, you’re able to save sounds from other videos for future use, whereas Reels only lets you use someone’s sound but doesn’t allow you to save it for future use (for now).
You also have to have an Instagram account to take part in this, whereas on TikTok, you can download the app and enjoy videos with no signup or commitment; which in itself comes with some other things to think about like whether or not your profile is private and how many followers you currently have. Your Reels will also not be posted/saved on your Instagram account with your other regular posts, you’ll have a new section in between your posts and tagged photos. Side note: this is only available on mobile devices, not desktops (again for now). Lastly, one fun feature is that you get to use filters and effects on Reels which you do not get the option on TikTok.
With the US President Donald Trump threatening to ban the app TikTok, this could potentially be a good alternative to the app to those residents! While they will still have the option of apps like Triller and ByteDance, having the option already built into an existing platform sure is convenient.
Instagram Reels are available in 50 countries including Canada, USA, India, Brazil, France, Germany, the U.K., Japan, Australia, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and several others.
Facebook in the past actually launched something similar to TikTok called Lasso in 2018 but shut it down in July. They also attempted somethings similar to Snapchat called Slingshot and Poke before Instagram stories became popular!
Do you think Reels are here to stay?
Curious how OG Instagram Stories can help your business? Click Here. Want to learn more about TikTok and why the US is threatening to ban the app? Click Here.
Vanessa Niragira, Oakville, Ontario, August 2020
Additional Resources
https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/facebook-tiktok-instagram-reels-1.5675370
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-53670239/instagram-rolls-out-tiktok-rip-off-reels
Vanessa Niragira, August 2020
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