How to Use Instagram Reels – New TikTok Competitor?

How to Use Instagram Reels - New TikTok Competitor?

Today Instagram launched their new Reels feature globally. Instagram Reels are short, entertaining videos you can create within Instagram to share on your story, feed, or elsewhere. Is this a new TikTok competitor, or just a fad?

instagram reels feature

Photo: Instagram blog

What are Reels?

Instagram Reels are short, entertaining videos on Instagram. You create reels in the Instagram camera and can record and edit 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and other creative tools for editing.

How to Create Reels in Instagram

1. Open the Instagram Camera

2. Select Reels at the bottom

3. Choose from various editing tools: Audio, AR Effects, Timer and Countdown, Align, Speed

4. Record one or multiple clips and you can even use videos from your camera roll.

How to Share Reels on Explore

Similar to TikTok, Instagram has placed a focus on promoting creators using the Explore page. With Reels, you can reach a larger audience on Instagram and share your videos with the entire community.

Once you finish creating your reel, click over to the share screen. Here you can save a draft of your reel and update the cover image and caption. You can also add hashtags to reach a wider audience and tag friends and other accounts on Instagram. Tag #filtergrade and @filtergrade if you want us to feature your reels! :)

After you share your reel it will be featured in a dedicated space of the Explore page based on the topic/tags. You can also choose to share it to your feed where it will also show up on your main profile grid. You also have the option to remove it from your profile, feed, etc.

Regardless of if your account is public or private, you can share your reel to your Story, close friends, and in direct messages. Any reels posted to the story or sent in messages behave like a regular story on Instagram. They won’t be shared to Explore, won’t appear on your profile, and only last 24 hours.

share reels instagram explore

Photo: Instagram blog

How to Watch Instagram Reels

Reels show up in a variety of places on Instagram, and as the feature rolls out globally, should become more prominent within the app. You can like, comment, and share reels with your friends.

While scrolling through your feed, you’ll also see people sharing reels like regular posts, along with on the dedicated Explore page. And you’ll also see them on profiles for people who choose to show them on their account.

watch reels on instagram

Photo: Instagram blog

Read more about using Instagram Reels on the Instagram Help site. Are you able to create and share Instagram Reels yet? Leave a comment below to share your experience and shoutout your IG account!

SEE ALSO – What is Triller? Social Video App for Creators

WATCH: How to Create Instagram Story Filters with Spark AR

One Reply to “How to Use Instagram Reels – New TikTok Competitor?”

  1. Philipp says:

    Do you think that Instagram will be improving the editing functionality for reels in the future. It would be great to add and trim multiple clips in one reel so we don’t have to use third party apps anymore.

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