INTRODUCING
INSTAGRAM REELS
A new way to create entertaining short videos,
reach new audiences, and be part of cultural
moments on Instagram. With Reels you can:
REELS TAB
Be creative
Creative tools that are easy to
use, and help you make
entertaining, 30 second
videos.
Reach new audiences
Share to a new, large space in
the Reels tab which highlights
entertaining, creative Reels.
Be part of a moment
Create videos up to 30
seconds with popular songs,
trends, or challenges and be
part of a larger moment on
Instagram.
Great Reels
Feel unique to you
Are relatable
Easy for others to recreate
Keep it fun and simple
HOW IT WORKS
1 Reels in Instagram camera
Swipe to the Instagram camera. You'll see
"Reels" where you can begin creating your
video or upload existing content from your
camera.
2 Creative tools
Tools that will help you make these
creative videos. Use any or all of these
features.
LENGTH
Choose up to 15 seconds or 30 seconds.
AUDIO
Select a song from the Instagram music library
to be featured in your Reel.
SPEED
Speed up or slow down your video. Change the
speed for the whole video, or only for certain
clips.
EFFECTS
Record a clip using any Instagram effects.
Record multiple clips with different effects.
TIMER
Use the timer to help you record hands-free.
ALIGN
Line up your takes with Align.
CREATE REELS: EXPRESS
CREATIVE SIDE
Multiple clips Timeline
3 Record multiple clips up to
4 Review your Reel, see all of
30 seconds or all at once. the clips stitched together in
You can also a timeline.
• Use different effects for each Add timed text or stickers.
clips
• Upload video from your phone
gallery
• Review your clip, delete or re-
record it
• If you like your clip, start
recording your next one
• Or go back to edit or trim any clip
To upload existing content from your camera roll on to Reels, follow these steps:
STEP 1 STEP 2 STEP 3 STEP 4
Open Reels. To publish existing Select the video you’d Add audio, text and other
content roll, swipe up to like to upload. There will effects if you’d like
pull up your camera roll. also be an option to trim before publishing your
the video. content to Reels.
CREATE REELS: EXPRESS
CREATIVE SIDE
Share Reels: Reach new audiences
Share your Reel to a new space in the Reels tab, and be sure to share on your Feed with your
followers to increase distribution.
Reels Tab Reels on Feed Reels in Profile Saved Reels
Share to Reels tab, a Share to Reels + Feed The Reels you share will Save Reels to your Drafts
new place where you and your Reel will be be featured in a and post later.
reach new audiences shared with your separate “Reels” tab on
Your Reel won’t be followers and also the your profile.
shared to your Feed. Reels tab.
A NEW WAY FOR PEOPLE TO
DISCOVER YOUR REELS
The new Reels tab is meant to help up-and-coming creators reach new audiences on a global
stage, and make it easier for people to discover Reels from all over the world.
Instagram Home Unified Camera Reels Tab
UNIFIED CAMERA
EXPLORE REELS
Instagram is adapting to enormous We are making it easier for you to A new, dedicated Reels tab to help
shifts in how people create and create content with the launch of a creators get discovered by a
enjoy culture. unified camera. broader audience, and grow their
community on Instagram.
We’re launching new tabs for Reels From the home screen, tap on the
so users can be one tap away from unified camera button to access When you publish a Reel, it will be
entertainment and discovering post creation for Feed, Stories, eligible to appear in the Reels tab
products from the brands and Reels, Live and IGTV. for broader distribution.
creators they love.
MUSIC & AUDIO TOOLS IN REELS
Voiceover & Audio Editing Voiceover lets you add audio commentary on your
reels, allowing you to personalize and have creative
control over how your Reels sound.
You can edit multiple audio inputs in your Reel and
adjust their volume.
How does it work?
1. To record a voiceover for your reel, tap the
microphone icon from the top toolbar.
Reels 2. Position the video timeline where you want your
voiceover to start. To begin recording, tap and hold
the record button.
3. Create as many voiceover clips as you would like. To
discard a clip, hit the back button. Once you have
your desired audio, post your reel!
Note: to edit and adjust volume for the original audio of
your Reel or audio browser, select the three dot menu
icon after recording your Reel.
Quickly save your favorite sounds so you can easily
Save & Share Audio
retrieve and create with them whenever you want.
Share your favorite audio pages via DM and get
inspired by all the Reels associated with that sound in
one place.
How does it work?
1. When watching a Reel, tap the audio at the bottom.
2. You’ll see an audio page showing all the videos
using that sound.
3. Tap the bookmark button on the top right to save or
unsafe the audio. To share audio, tap the DM
button.
4. You can also access saved audio via the three lined
menu on your profile.
MUSIC & AUDIO TOOLS IN REELS
Audio Browser
Discover new music through Trending and For You,
browse through your saved audio, or search for
something specific with the improved audio browser.
Anyone will be able to access these clips and use the
audio to create their own Reels .
How does it work?
1. Open the Reels camera and tap the Audio icon.
2. You’ll see an expanded browser providing options
for audio tools like saved audio. Trending audio and
For You.
Original Audio
Upload clips from some of your most known and loved
properties so that creators can access through Reels
and use the original audio to create their own take on
the clip.
By clicking the use audio button, anyone will be able to
use your original audio to create their own reel.
HOW TO CREATE A REEL
STEP 1 Find your idea
Think of something people can relate to, and add your take.
Browse through the Effects gallery. You may find an effect you'll
want to use in a video.
Stay tuned to challenges, hashtags or songs that are trending.
You can recreate these videos with your personal touch.
Make your passion (e.g. artistic make-up) into an entertaining,
relatable video (dance, cooking, sports).
STEP 2 Frame your idea into a 30-second video
Make sure you are telling a story from beginning to end. Add a
surprise or twist to keep the viewer intrigued.
Use a song's beat as marks for your dance moves, editing
transitions and effects.
To create a script for your video, write down what each clip of
the video should look like and what the music will be for that
moment.
HOW TO CREATE A REEL
STEP 3 Make your shoot a success
Think about setting, lighting, costume, make-up, music and
effects before you shoot.
Make sure your light source is behind the camera and shoot in
natural light when possible.
Use a consistent visual style so Reels are recognizable as
yours. Lighting effects can also help to set different moods in
each clip.
You don't have to be a great dancer to create a viral dance
video. Use basic dance moves and use effects or editing tools
to make it fun and shareable.
Use music, text and editing tools to add punchlines or tell your
story.
Make the first 2 seconds of the video extremely engaging and
draw the viewer in.
STEP 4 Publishing and optimizing your Reels
Share your Reel to your Feed to maximize distribution.
Ask your followers to try to replicate your original creation and
tag you.
Use hashtags or popular songs to help more people find your
Reel.
Use effects to easily enhance the storytelling, look and
feel and mood of your Reels.
Some of our favorite effects for Reels
There are 1000+ you can use but here are a few of the AR effects we recommend:
Effects that enhance your Reel’s look and feel How to find MORE AR Effects
MIRROR KALEIDOSCOPE LED STARBURST RAYBURST
When you scroll all the way to
the right on your AR effectS, use
Effects that enhance the story you’re telling this icon to search a library of
MORE effects THAT You can save
INTO YOUR Carousel.
INFINITE ZOOM MOUTH FACE GREEN-SCREEN
(ADD YOUR OWN MEDIA AS THE BACKGROUND)
Artistic effects that help change the mood of your Reel
When you open your Reels camera,
click on effects and you’ll see a few
top AR effects you can use to
PARTICLE PULSE CHROMATIC DELAY MOTION BLUR LIGHT LEAK enhance your Reel.
Advantages of Reels
Reels tab in Instagram
With over
1 BILLION Music Library
A large music library to select
songs from
Community
Only one place where your friends,
followers and interests are all on
people on Instagram, your Reel
can be discovered by more
people on Instagram.
Reels Tab Camera
A new destination to help you get You don’t have to use other apps to
discovered by a broader audience create and edit fun videos that you
want to share on Instagram, you can
now use them directly on Instagram
Frequently asked questions
Will it be available on both iOS and Android? Who can see the Reels tab?
Yes, Reels will be available for both. As of now, people will only be able to see Reels in the
countries where Reels is available. If you create and
Can you cross-post to Facebook?
share a Reel to feed, people who follow you and live
You will not be able to share your Reels to Facebook.
outside of those markets will still be able to see the Reel.
Can you add links to Reels? They just won't be able to create Reels of their own.
You will not be able to add links to Reels.
Business profiles?
Will interactive stickers work? Business profiles who don’t currently have access to
You will not be able to use interactive stickers (poll, QA, music stickers will have access to Reels, but cannot add
challenges) in Reels. music.
Can you share a Reel to Direct? How do you report Reels?
Yes, you can share a Reel you create to someone on You’ll be able to report a Reel just like you report other
Direct. content on Instagram.
How can people engage with Reels? Can I use Branded Content tools?
People can like, comment, save and share Reels. Yes. The branded content tool is now available in Reels.
What information can I see about the Reels I post? How can reels show up on original audio pages?
You will see how many views and comments your Reel For Original Audio page, the video where the original
receives. audio comes from will be highlighted on the page.
How can others use my original audio? How do I find reels that use a certain audio or hashtag?
Simply begin by uploading a reel with your own audio. Click on the hashtag or audio in another reel, or search
When you publish your reel, your audio will be in the search bar.
attributed to you. If you have a public account, other
Can Reels be Boosted or Promoted?
people can create reels with that audio by selecting
No, not at the moment.
“Use Audio” from your reel.
Reels Technical Specs
Use this guide to understand device-specific format specifications.
iOS
Up to 30 seconds (less than 30s also ok, as
short as 3 seconds)
.mp4 format
Min 1080P, and 4K if available (note: the user's
video will be capped at 720p after upload)
Upload aspect ratio: 9:16
ANDROID
Up to 30 seconds (less than 30s also ok, as
short as 3 seconds)
.mp4 format
Min 1080P, and 4K if available (note: the user's
video will be capped at 720p after upload)
Upload aspect ratio: screen aspect ratio of the
user's device
THANKS!
