Instagram are combining IGTV and feed videos into ‘Instagram Video’
Image Credit: Facebook
Hoping to compete with YouTube, Instagram are cutting down on the number of video formats on their platform by combining IGTV and feed videos.
Instagram has too many video formats. From shortest to longest, creators can share videos on Instagram Stories – up to 15 seconds, Instagram Reels – up to 60-second looping videos, Instagram feed videos – up to 60 seconds, and IGTV – between 1 and 60 minutes. As Instagram grew and they implemented new video formats, finally it seems Instagram are cutting down by combining IGTV and feed videos.
Uploading to Instagram Video from your camera roll is done in the same way as feed videos. Simply tap the + icon in the top right corner and select POST. Instagram are also introducing new editing features such as trimming, filters, and people and location tagging.
The combined video formats will be available in the new Video tab on Instagram profiles. Instagram says this move will make it easier for people to create, upload and discover new video content from creators they love. Simply tap anywhere on a video to enter fullscreen or keep scrolling to discover new video content from creators that may interest you. Users can continue to cross-post videos through Stories and share via direct message, great for promoting content with fans. Instagram says, “Video previews in feed will now be 60 seconds long, unless the video is eligible for ads — in which case, the preview will still be 15 seconds.”
As a creator, I think there shouldn’t be a divide between video formats on Instagram; feed video and IGTV should be just video. When a person is looking for content to watch online they’re never specifically looking for long format or short format, they’re just looking to watch videos and be entertained. I’m glad I now won’t need to navigate to so many different surfaces to watch things on Instagram.
@henrytado
Instagram are also merging feed post insights and video insights, giving businesses and creators one combined metric. IGTV ads are now called Instagram In-Stream video ads. Eligible creators can still monetize long-form content, allowing brands to reach audiences engaging with long-form video. “For businesses interested in boosting their videos to reach more people, videos must be no longer than 60 seconds in length.”
Instagram says their creators love videos as a way to tell stories, entertain and connect with audiences. “We’re excited to see how creators on Instagram continue to make standout content that inspires people to create themselves.” No word on when this update will roll out to creators and day-to-day users.
Click here to find out how to monetize when your music is used in a video on Instagram.