If you think Instagram reel length can only be 60 seconds long, this article is for you! There are a lot of new features that the Instagram app has introduced. Among these features was the introduction of reels just like the ones in TikTok. Reel features was launched in 2020 and since then have been a very important part of increasing the engagement of any page or account in the Instagram community. Recently Instagram has introduced new features into the reel section. These features include shifting the Instagram reel length from 60 seconds to 90 seconds. Yes! You heard that right. You can record and edit videos up to 90 seconds with Instagram, and the length of your reel can go up to 3 mins.These feature will help in adding extended content to your reels and ye again boosting your engagement!
What Are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels are short videos that are lined up vertically. Users can be creative with them by adding music, effects, and dynamic editing tools. You can think of them as Instagram’s version of TikTok. They give you a more immersive way to teach, entertain, or inspire your following. Stories and flat posts disappear after 24 hours, but Reels give you a structure that lasts and is easy to find. Reels are the best way to get people to interact with your content, whether you’re a brand trying to sell a product, a creator giving a lesson, or someone just trying to have fun.
Why Are Reels Important?
Instagram Reels feature has changed the way individuals, brands, and businesses connect with their audiences, offering a dynamic and short-form video format that favors engagement and boosts visibility. They provide an unmatched opportunity to reach new audiences, boost visibility, and drive high engagement as Reels are highly favored by Instagram’s algorithm. Their visually captivating nature makes them perfect for quickly capturing attention in today’s fast-paced digital world.
- Reels are not just about getting viral, but they allow creators and businesses to showcase their creativity, align with trending content, and express their brand personality in relatable ways.
- Additionally, they help in building a community by encouraging meaningful interactions, whether through comments, shares, or user-generated content.
- For businesses, using and creating Reels is a way of staying ahead of the competitors and aligning with Instagram’s strategic move toward video content.
- Reels have become an integral tool for growth and connection on social media, from increasing brand awareness to supporting various marketing goals such as product/brand promotion or storytelling etc.
Learn How to Share Instagram Reels from Your Desktop Using Predis.ai
Now you can post Instagram Reels directly from your desktop for free using a simple software:
- Step 1: Login to Your Instagram Profile – Sign up for Predis.ai on your desktop or log in if you already have an account.
- Step 2: Select “Instagram” to connect your account.
- Step 3: Upload Your Reel to Predis.ai Media Library
- Step 4: You can edit the video, and add captions, keywords, and hashtags to maximize reach.
- Step 5: If you are not satisfied with the length, you can crop your Reel and select a frame for the cover.
- Step 6: Go to “Settings,” and select when you want your reel to get posted on your timeline.
Current Instagram Reel Length: What You Need to Know
Instagram has gradually extended the length of Reels over the years in order to meet the evolving needs of creators and audiences. Instagram Reels can now be up to 90 seconds long, providing creators with more room to craft engaging stories and release their creativity. This significant change from the original 15-second limit shows Instagram’s dedication to enhance Reels as a versatile and competitive tool in the social media space. One must know that despite the increase in duration, shorter Reels typically between 7 to 15 seconds tend to perform better. This is because the viewers on social media are more inclined to engage with quick and easy content. The key to success lies in finding the perfect balance between length and engagement. This ensures that your Reels are captivating your audience while retaining their attention and boosting visibility within the Instagram’s algorithm.
Instagram Reel Length Updates Over The Years
- 15-Seconds(2020): Reels were initially launched with a 15-second limit, designed for quick, bite-sized content to capture short attention spans.
- 30-Seconds(2021): Instagram soon increased the limit to 30 seconds, and then 60 seconds because of the growing popularity. This gave the creators the freedom to add more depth and detail into their videos.
- 90-Seconds(2022): The most recent increase to 90 seconds reflects Instagram’s efforts to provide creators with ample time to engage audiences while also maintaining the short form content.
- 180- Seconds (2024): Instagram increased the limit to 3 minutes (180 seconds). This can be done by adding one or multiple video clips to add upto the total of 3 minutes.
Why Reel Length Matters?
The length of your Instagram Reel plays a very important role in determining its success. Social media platforms, including Instagram, prosper on audience retention, that is, how well IG can retain a user’s attention. The longer a viewer stays engaged with your content, the more likely the algorithm is to favor your post. This eventually helps in boosting its visibility on the Explore page or Reels feed. But it’s not just about keeping viewers hooked but the Reel length also impacts how effectively you can convey your message. If your content is too short then your content may feel rushed or incomplete and if it’s too long then you may risk losing your audience’s attention.
Understanding the Instagram Reel Algorithm
Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes Reels that maintain viewer attention and gives greater visibility to the content that viewer’s watch till the end. Shorter Reels that range typically between 7–15 seconds often perform better since viewers are more likely to watch them fully, replay, or share them. Longer Reels (up to 90 seconds) can be effective if they keep viewers engaged throughout, but balancing duration with viewer retention is important. Crafting content that fits within Instagram’s algorithmic preferences increases the likelihood of your Reel of reaching a broader audience.
- The IG algorithm evaluates the relevance of your Reel based on tags, hashtags, audio tracks, and posting time. It checks if your content fits the target audience and if it’s original or adapted.
- Daily interactions on your profile plays an important role. The algorithm looks at how your audience engages with past content and checks if the content is original. It also tracks who searches for your profile, sends DMs, or interacts with posts to suggest your content to the right people.
- In order to maximize your chances of going viral, post your Reels when your audience is most active.
- A large, engaged follower base helps your content to get recommended. Positive interactions from followers contribute to the visibility of your Reels.
- To get started, you must ensure your content is entertaining, visually appealing, and follows Instagram’s guidelines. Use tags and hashtags wisely. You should study analytics, and create content that is tailored to your audience.
How to Decide the Length of Your Instagram Reels?
When deciding on the duration of your Instagram Reel, there are several factors to take into account.
- Consider Instagram Requirements: First and foremost, ensure that your content is in sync with Instagram’s guidelines. Before sharing an Instagram Reel, confirm that its duration does not exceed 90 seconds. If it does, you’ll need to trim it down before posting.
- Video Message or Purpose: Consider the directed message or purpose of your video content. What are you aiming to convey with your latest Instagram Reel? This should influence your decision on duration.
- Production Elements: Assess how editing features and integrations contribute to conveying your story. If your Reel effectively captivates the audience visually, you can opt for a longer duration. Otherwise, consider trimming it to cater to shorter attention spans.
- Audience Considerations: Maintain a strong awareness of your audience and their content consumption habits. Consider factors such as the demographics of your target audience and their usage patterns on Instagram. Adjust the length of your Reels accordingly—for instance, keep videos short for busy professionals or utilize longer clips for Gen Z users.
Setting Instagram Reel Length for Various Contents
There is no particular range of time frame as such for Instagram reels. The reel can range anywhere from 15 seconds to 90 seconds as of Instagram’s new update. Reels are not necessary to have to be 7 seconds or 20 seconds long for a particular reel to gain engagement. It all depends on the type of video content. For better engagement, it is always good to have shorter reels. This does not mean that all Instagram reels should have a short duration.Additionally, IG Reels can be categorised into multiple types. Let’s explore one by one:
1. Text over Reels
People mostly use text over reels to narrate a story, mention facts, or describe a situation. This kind of reel can range anywhere from 15 to 60 seconds. It is better to keep such reels short and crisp to engage the audience and not bore them.
2. Jump cuts Reels
Jump cuts are the new trend, where makeup artists, painters, and various artists jump from before to after a picture or video showing the work shift. This kind of video is better when filmed and uploaded with an Instagram reel length of about 10 to 15 seconds. This will keep the audience interested and increase the engagement of the content.
3. Informative reels
When talking about comparing reels, the reel length can be 20 to 30 seconds. Depending on the length of the video content it can also go for up to 45 seconds. To make informative reels, create short content ranging from 15 to 30 seconds. This ensures more views and likes. If the video content is too long, try to make it in two parts, but always it is better to keep them short to keep audience consistency. A reel featuring an interview or any conversation tends to be longer in order to accommodate the discussion and provide details. Despite being longer these reels get engagement based on what type the content is.
4. Entertaining Reels
Reels made on pets and animals are very engaging these days when made with the right content. Animals are so much more like influencers these days! These videos can last from 15 seconds to 90 seconds depending on the type of content.
In another humorous reel by Mochapom_, the video was almost 10 seconds long. It has almost 50.3K views. Most of the reels posted by this Instagram account had more views when the content was shorter and crisp. This is an example of how most of the content type of this particular account is best suited for shorter Instagram reel length. This is how content is kept in a time frame to match the type of content.
5. Business Reels
To attract a larger audience, business pages on Instagram should keep their reel lengths shorter. This will ensure audience attention and give more views and likes.
Before and after results reel is popular these days with Instagram pages and even with influencers. This kind of reel is better when kept crisp and short making it more accessible to the audience.
6. Reel vs. Reality
Reel vs. reality is also a type of reel that ought to be small to keep the audience interested. Making it long will only make the audience skip it making the Instagram algorithm think it is not engaging.
7. Transition Reels
Transitional reels as per the name should stick with transition-making within a short period making it more efficient. This way it will get more views and more activity.
8. Cooking and Food Reels
Cooking reels involve the process of it. It can be showing the final product or the process of making the final product. In the former, the Instagram reel length should be kept as minimum as possible. This will help in keeping the audience engaged. In the latter, the reel length can range from 30 to 90 seconds making it longer than the former. But this is necessary to keep the audience on track with the process helping the curiosity. Hence long reel length will also be engaging in such context.
In one of the reels by Chef Kunal Kapoor, he posted a cook-with-me video. The video was almost 30 seconds long showing the process of cooking in a time-lapse pattern. The video was seen to have 386K views with 13.8K likes. This video was perfectly made using the perfect time frame of medium Instagram reel length. The time frame was perfect to get maximum engagement and also fit the content in the video.
9. Beauty and Fashion Reels
Beauty reels may range from showing make-up on the transition to showing the get ready with me process. In the past, people preferred shorter and crisper reel lengths, typically ranging from 10 to 20 seconds. In the case of getting ready with me reels, it can be about beauty or fashion. Such reels may have a longer length to cover up the process and hence longer reels will also do the job.
In a video by Mimiermakeup, she made a transition reel that was almost 10 seconds long. It got around 1.7 million views and 165 thousand likes. The time frame was matching the type of reel she had made. A transition reel should be small to capture the audience’s attention. This will help in gaining engagement and better insights. On the other hand, if this was a makeup tutorial it could be longer and still get the reach.
10. Tutorials and Behind the Scenes Reels
Behind-the-scene video reels on the other hand are also dependent on the type of content. It can range from 30 to 90 seconds. These videos are usually longer than normal to fit the content behind the scenes.
The length of tutorial reels does not specifically depend on the time frame and can range from anywhere between 30 to 90 seconds. Engagement will depend on how the video is made.
In one of the reels by Jimmy Fallon, an American television host recently posted a reel with Elizabeth Olsen. The reel was around 40 seconds long. It had a fun element to it and the content was humorous enough to keep engagement. This reel shows how engagement is dependent on the type of content along with the matching time frame. For the reel to be longer the content has to be enough engaging.
The key to maintaining the best Instagram reel length is based on the type of content. It is based on anticipating the type of reaction the audience will have when seeing the reels. Hence, reels that are worth a smaller length should not be made longer to keep the engagement.
Guidelines for Crafting Short yet Impactful Instagram Reels
Keep these straightforward guidelines in mind, when crafting Instagram Reels.
1. Instagram Reels Specifications
Instagram Reels are meant to be viewed vertically, in full-screen mode, and on mobile devices. To ensure compatibility, create content with the following specifications:
- Instagram Reels Size & Aspect Ratio: 9:16.
- Instagram Reels Dimensions: 1080 pixels x 1920 pixels.
- Instagram Reels can have a maximum length of 90 seconds.
- Instagram Reel Resolution: Minimum resolution of 750 pixels
- Instagram Reels Compression Size: Instagram supports images and videos with resolutions ranging from 320 to 1080 pixels, as long as the aspect ratio falls between 1.91:1 and 4:5.
- Instagram Reels Caption Length: Can contain up to 2.2K characters.
2. Emphasize Content Quality
Recent studies highlight the growing significance of content quality. Therefore, invest time in enhancing the quality of your videos. Strive for clear audio and high resolution to showcase your skills and professionalism effectively.
3. Capture Audience Attention
To ensure your Reel stands out, start with a captivating hook. Grab the audience’s attention right from the beginning and provide a compelling reason for them to engage with your content or explore your profile further.
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4. Encourage Creativity
In a saturated video marketing landscape, creativity is key to differentiation and immediate impact. Identify what sets your brand apart, and explore innovative ways to communicate your ideas. Prioritizing creativity can help accentuate your value proposition and enhance brand recognition.
5. Listen to Your Audience
Don’t overlook the importance of audience feedback. Utilize audience demographics and Instagram polls to gain insights into your followers’ preferences. This information can guide you in creating content that resonates effectively, addresses their interests, and delivers value efficiently.
Strategies for Sharing Lengthy Reels on Instagram
When 90 seconds isn’t sufficient to convey your message, consider these alternative approaches to bypass the limitations and publish longer content pieces:
- Break down your video into multiple parts and share them as a series of interconnected Reels.
- Rather than sharing the full video on Instagram, create a brief teaser or preview.
- Redirect viewers to another platform through links, such as YouTube, where longer content is accommodated.
- Opt for Instagram Live instead of pre-recorded videos. Instagram’s live broadcasting feature allows for extended engagement with your audience in real time, offering flexibility beyond the 90-second limit.
How Instagram Reel Length Influences SEO and Discoverability?
The length of your Instagram Reel plays an important part in SEO and boosting overall visibility of your account. Instagram’s algorithm tends to favor those Reels that keep viewers engaged, meaning that if your Reel is well-paced and holds attention, it has a higher chance of being shown to more people. Longer Reels (up to 90 seconds) can work, but shorter, engaging content often performs better. To enhance discoverability, you can pair your optimal Reel length with relevant, high-potential keywords in your caption and use trending, niche-specific hashtags and trending audios as well. This helps to ensure that your content reaches the right audience, boosting visibility and improving your chances of going viral. Also, engaging with your audience through comments and shares can further improve your Reel’s reach.
Top 4 Instagram Reel Tips for Businesses & Creators
Here are some tips that can come in handy if you are creating Instagram Reels to enhance your business reach and branding:
- Utilize On-screen Text and Captions: Incorporating on-screen text and subtitles into your videos is essential for reaching a broader audience. Subtitles not only cater to viewers who watch videos silently but also ensure accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments.
- Drive Traffic by Prompting Viewers to Visit Your Link in Bio: Maximize traffic from Reels by incorporating a clear call-to-action prompting viewers to visit your link in your bio. This can be achieved through on-screen text placement, verbal call-outs, or inclusion in your video caption.
- Identify Your Niche and Maintain a Consistent Posting Schedule: Discovering your niche and posting consistently are effective ways to gain traction on Instagram Reels. With a diverse array of users and interests on Instagram, there’s a niche for every brand or business.
- Incorporate 3-5 Relevant Hashtags: Incorporating 3-5 hashtags can enhance the visibility of your content and assist the Instagram algorithm in identifying your target audience. For instance, utilizing hashtags like #LatestTrends, #FashionNews, and #WhatFashionsitasLike signals to the algorithm that your content is related to fashion clothing or accessories, which enhances its exposure to users interested in similar topics.
FAQs
Yes, To boost Reels : Open your Reel and click the three-dot icon or “Boost post” at the bottom right. Also, you can not boost a Reel if you don’t have a professional account, if your account is deactivated or restricted, if there are copyright issues, if your previous ads were declined, or if the resolution is incorrect or incompatible GIFs are used.
Avoid putting too much information into a Reel or vice-versa, both of which can make your content feel off. You need to consider your audience’s preferences as well, if they prefer short content, a full 90-second Reel may not be ideal. Always focus on quality, not quantity, and use analytics to guide your choices.
Conclusion
Determining the appropriate length for Instagram Reels depends on several factors, which include the content’s purpose, industry demands, audience preferences, and platform trends. It is however recommended to keep Instagram Reels concise and engaging aiming for a length of around 15 to 30 seconds. This span is enough to captivate viewers’ attention and deliver your message effectively.
It is best to experiment and supervise audience response which will help organizations and content creators finalize the optimal length for specific content. Ultimately, the priority is to remain relevant and creative, when creating quality Reels that can maximize the impact regardless of their length.
You can now use Predis.ai Insta Reel Maker which helps you create engaging and creative Instagram Reels with trending music, dynamic visuals, superior editing options, photos, templates, and trending designs and ideas.
Collaborating with Predis.ai can help you maximize your revenue as a content creator and enhance your audience reach globally.
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