Photo Credit: Prateek Katyal
Instagram says all videos shorter than 15 minutes will now be uploaded and shared as Reels.
Videos posted to the platform prior to this change will remain the same. Meta began testing this change with both Instagram and videos uploaded to Facebook. The change is part of adapting Instagram to be more like its chief competitor, TikTok. All videos and Reels will be under one tab on Instagram users’ profile page.
The change means that anyone’s Reel can be used to create a new Reel. If the account is set to private, only followers and friends can see the new Reels. Anyone can create a Reel Remix of a public video, so you’ll want to change your settings if you don’t want that happening with your videos.
How to Disable Reel Remixes on Instagram
- Open your account ‘Settings.’
- Navigate to ‘Privacy‘ and look for ‘Reels and Remix.’
- Toggle the setting to off to prevent remixes.
The new change may present some challenges for the Instagram user base. Most people know the app as a photo and video sharing app, where vertical and horizontal videos are supported. But the Reels format prefers vertical videos – meaning horizontal videos may get cut off in the Reels format.
The move should come as no small surprise to anyone who has been paying attention to Instagram’s corporate messaging. Last year Instagram head Adam Mosseri said video and Reels would be the new focus of the app. He even hinted that Instagram could consolidate its video products around Reels rather than continue offering so many different formats.
As part of the announcement, Instagram is also adding a new Reels feature. The ‘dual’ feature allows users to record their reaction to a Reel that they’re watching – simultaneously. The company is also debuting templates to make it easier for users to create new content. Reels Remix is also getting new features, including a green screen, horizontal or vertical split-screen, and picture-in-picture views.
“We’re always working on ways to improve your Instagram experience,” the company’s blog post reads. “We’ll continue to build features that make it easier and more fun to create and share Reels on Instagram.”