Instagram now tests videos as Reels

Instagram has begun tests of automatically converting video posts into Reels, as a Meta representative confirmed to TechCrunch. The company notes that the change is being tested on a limited number of users as part of simplifying the video-watching experience in the app.

In the informative message it is stated that if the user's account is public and he publishes a video, then the latter will automatically be converted into a Reel and any other user will be able to find it both to watch it and to use it in their own by Reels (remixes). If the account is private then the Reel will only be visible to followers and there is an option in the settings menu to ban remixes of your own creations.

As with any other test, we can't know if it will actually go ahead with an official worldwide launch of the feature or if it will back off as there are some issues to be discussed. For example, if you want to post a video in horizontal mode, then it will be difficult for someone to see it in the vertical format of Reels. Also, it is not specified what will happen with the duration, since anyone can post videos of up to 10 minutes or up to 60 minutes if their account is certified.

About a year ago, the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, stated that Instagram is no longer a photo-sharing app. The burden has now fallen especially on content creators, videos and messaging, like the big social networks.