By Masha Abarinova
As apps like TikTok fuel the rise of short form video content, Meta looks to expand its own bite-sized equivalent – Instagram Reels.
A screenshot posted by social media consultant Matt Navarra shows a message from Instagram’s app saying, “video posts are now shared as Reels.” Navarra noted in another screenshot that Facebook is also encouraging users to post videos as Reels.
Instagram is now making EVERY video a Reel
h/t @ChristinaSBG pic.twitter.com/YLRDhT1nw0
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) June 30, 2022
Meta told TechCrunch the change is currently being tested with select users worldwide “as part of our efforts to simplify and improve the video experience on Instagram.”
The company unveiled Reels in August 2020, inviting users to record and edit 15-second multi-clip videos that can be enhanced with creative effects.
Those with public accounts, Meta said, can share their Reels to Instagram’s Explore tab – where they can be discovered by the wider Instagram community. While Reels posted by private accounts can only be shared with a user’s followers, and people are unable to use the original audio from a private account’s Reels.
Meta’s test suggests the company might phase out its long-form video content – perhaps to compete with the likes of TikTok. TikTok as of late has fallen under scrutiny for potential data sharing concerns – with FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr calling for the app’s removal from Apple and Google’s app stores.
