Taking into account the demands of its users, Instagram announced that it increased the maximum duration of Reels videos from 90 seconds to 3 minutes. Adam Mosseri, president of Instagram, stated that this change was based on user feedback and stated that 90 seconds was not enough for many content creators.
This move by Instagram regarding Reels duration is considered a delayed step after TikTok allowed 3-minute videos in 2021. However, the risk of ban that TikTok has recently faced in the USA makes the timing of this change important. The possibility of TikTok being banned in America has the potential to direct users to different platforms. Instagram, on the other hand, takes advantage of this situation and has the chance to both protect its existing users and attract new users.
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Instagram is slowly changing its stance on Reels times
In the past, Instagram has taken a more cautious stance on video durations. The company, which is testing plans to increase the duration of Reels content to 10 minutes, seems to have given up on making this feature available for general use for now. Increasing the duration of Reels videos to 3 minutes aims to meet the expectations of both content creators and viewers.
This decision by Instagram also reveals how rapidly user habits are changing. Particularly as short video formats grow in popularity, platforms need to constantly innovate to remain competitive in this space. The Reels time extension will give content producers the opportunity to tell more complex stories, while also offering more satisfying content to viewers.
On the other hand, the effects of this change of Instagram on users are also a matter of curiosity. As the duration increases, users may experience differences in their video watching experience. However, the main purpose of the platform seems to be to increase users’ loyalty by offering content that attracts their attention. In particular, advertising content and collaborations are expected to be positively affected by this change.
Instagram aims to not only respond to user needs but also stand out in the world of digital content. This move may strengthen the platform’s hand in its competition with TikTok and other rivals. Additionally, new opportunities for creators may increase the attractiveness of the platform.
In conclusion, Instagram’s increase of Reels duration to 3 minutes is a reflection of its efforts to adapt to digital content trends. This change has the potential to deliver an innovative experience for both content creators and viewers. This strategy of Instagram may be an important indicator of how short video formats will be shaped in the future.