Instagram First Draft is here to make creating Reels easier
Instagram’s new First Draft feature automatically trims clips and removes pauses to create a starting point for Reels. Here’s what it means for creators and artists.
Instagram has introduced First Draft, a new feature that automatically edits video clips into a starting point for a Reel. The idea is simple: help creators spend less time editing and more time creating.
For creators and independent artists already juggling music creation, promotion and social media, it could make turning existing footage into social content a little quicker.
What is Instagram First Draft?
First Draft automatically creates an initial edit from the clips you select for a Reel. It trims down clips, removes pauses and silences, and brings the footage together into a rough cut.
Instagram says the process can create a first draft in seconds, meaning creators can skip some of the more repetitive parts of editing and get to refining their video sooner.
The feature is currently rolling out on iPhone.
How does Instagram First Draft work?
There are two ways to use Instagram’s First Draft feature.
From the Reels gallery, select one or more clips and tap the First Draft button. Instagram will then create an initial edit that you can review before moving into the full editor.
You can also access First Draft directly after filming through the Instagram camera.
Importantly, First Draft isn’t intended to make all of the creative decisions for you. Instagram describes it as a starting point rather than a finished video. That distinction is reflected in the name, too. It’s a First Draft, not a final cut.
Everything it does is reversible, meaning you can reorder, remove and adjust clips before moving into Instagram’s full editor.
How could First Draft be useful for artists and creators
For independent artists, First Draft could make it easier to turn existing footage into regular Reels.
Whether it’s clips from a gig, studio session, rehearsal or day in the life of an artist, there’s often plenty of potential content sitting on a phone. The time-consuming part is turning those clips into something worth posting.
First Draft can handle some of the initial trimming, giving artists a starting point to work from rather than editing every clip from scratch.
The feature isn’t particularly revolutionary, with similar automated editing tools already available in apps such as CapCut and Adobe’s editing software. However, bringing the functionality directly into Instagram means creators can do more without leaving the platform.
It also fits into Instagram’s wider push to make content creation easier. The platform has introduced several creator-focused tools this year, while Meta continues to develop its dedicated Edits video editing app.
For artists trying to maintain a consistent presence on social media alongside making and releasing music, anything that reduces the time spent on repetitive editing could be useful.
With First Draft handling some of the technical work, creators can focus more on what actually makes a Reel worth watching: the idea, the music and their own creative direction.
And if you want to use your own music in your Reels, you can distribute your music to Instagram with RouteNote. Get your tracks available for fans to discover and use alongside your content, with free music distribution to Instagram and major streaming platforms.