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The Latest Instagram Reel Updates

Tricia Lim

Tricia Lim

Tricia Lim

Tricia Lim

Source: Creators

Keeping up with the latest updates from Instagram can be a handful, but don’t worry, we’ve got you. Read on to find out all you need to know and the latest features you can use for your next Instagram Reel below.

Table of Contents

All new video posts will be shared as Reels

Since full-screen vertical videos like TikTok and Reels offer a more immersive watching experience, Instagram has announced that all new video posts under 15 minutes will be shared as Reels. All previous videos posted prior to this change will remain as videos and won’t become reels. However, they will be consolidated as one under the Reels tab on each user’s profile. This is something that brands should keep in mind the next time they schedule video content for their Instagram Feed.

If you have a public account, your future reels can be eligible to be recommended to everyone, which only applies to Reels under 90 seconds long. Otherwise, if your account is private, it will only be shared to your followers.

Instagram Reel Templates

Among their other recent updates in June, Instagram has launched this feature to help make the content creation process easier for all users!

Source: Meta

Instagram templates allow users to create a reel using another one as a template. It does all the work for you by preloading audio and video placeholders, so all you have to do is add and trim your unique clips. 

It’s essentially a foolproof way to create Instagram Reels. This makes jumping on certain trends much simpler when you don’t have to worry about nailing the timing and audio right. 

Here's how to use Instagram Reel Templates

We weren’t kidding when we said it’s easy to use. Here’s how you can access this feature:

1. The video editor from the Reels tab

Head to the Reels tab, just as you would create any Reel. To access the Templates feature, tap the camera icon, then slide the bottom tab to “Templates”. 

You’ll see multiple examples that you can get started with to create your own. Once you’ve selected a template that you like, tap “Use template”. Simply replace the clips in those reels with our own photos and videos.

2. By repurposing an Existing reel

When you’re scrolling through your Feed, you’ll see some Reels with templates available. You can tap the “Use template” icon to bring you to the same editor page where you can replace your media clips into their placeholders.

Alternatively, tap on the three-dot menu to select the “Use template” button.

Note: This feature is only available to Reels that have 1. Multiple clips 2. Been edited within Instagram. If a video has been fully edited with a third party app like InShot or CapCut, then it can’t identify the timestamps for each clip. 

Instagram interactive stickers

If you’ve used Instagram Stories before, you might be familiar with the interactive stickers like polls, questions, Add Yours, and emoji sliders. The good news is Instagram has made those stickers available for Reels, which adds more engaging elements to your Reels to better connect with your audience. 

Currently the only available interactive stickers for Reels are:

  • Poll: where you can ask your audience a question. It’s great if you plan to create a Reel series where you invite the audience to contribute to the content creation process.
  • Quiz: is a fun sticker you can use to teach your audience something new, about yourself, your brand, or a fun fact about your industry. 
  • Emoji slider: get real-time feedback from your audience on what they thought of your Reel. 

Instagram has implemented these participation driving elements from Stories into Reels so that creators and users can benefit from being part of a greater community together.

90-second Reels

If you’re looking to show behind the scenes content, share tutorials, or even tell stories, you’ll like this latest feature. Instagram Reels’ length went from 15, 30 and 60 seconds to 90 seconds! 

This gives creators more freedom to share more about themselves, tell deeper stories, or whatever they want to do.

Dual camera for Reels

On top of all the other Instagram Reel updates, the platform introduced this new dual camera feature. It enables you to film reels with both the front and back cameras simultaneously. 

Head over to the Reels tab to begin filming a reel. When you’re on the recording screen, tap on the camera icon below the timer and music icons. Hold the capture button at the bottom of the screen to begin recording your video! If you want to switch the camera views, simply double tap on the screen and the views would flip.

Enhanced remix features

This video editing feature allows users to record a video in response to another Reel, where the video appears next to the original video. This way users can collaborate with creators to grow their reach on Reels, as long as the original creator has enabled Remix access.

You can now remix public photos on Instagram Reels when creating your own unique reel. Similarly, this only applies if the original creator has enabled the Remix feature. Plus you can choose between a green screen, horizontal, vertical split-screen, or picture-in-picture to add your own commentary to existing reels. Subsequently, you can now add your clip after the original clip.

Source: Meta

Bottom line

Instagram is constantly improving their platform to enhance their users’ experience. While the app will continue to support pictures, we’re going to see more videos–in the form of Reels over time. Why? Because they’re entertaining to watch! Plus, they’re fun and easy to make even if you’re creating them with or without a team

If you found this update useful, subscribe to our newsletter and stay tuned for our other content!

What do you think of all these Instagram updates? Let us know in the comments or on our Instagram account! Or if you’re looking to refine your Instagram Reels strategy, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us at hello@medianetic.me, or drop us a message via our chatbot below! We’ve worked with many different industries like associations, banks, FMCG, and more. We look forward to implementing our expertise to help you succeed.

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