{"id":41477,"date":"2020-09-02T14:06:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-02T12:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sotrender.com\/blog\/?p=41477\/"},"modified":"2020-09-02T14:06:58","modified_gmt":"2020-09-02T12:06:58","slug":"instagram-reels-the-new-tiktok","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sotrender.com\/blog\/2020\/09\/instagram-reels-the-new-tiktok\/","title":{"rendered":"Instagram Reels: can Instagram compete with TikTok?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It looks like TikTok might have to compete with Instagram from now on. Instagram released a new form of video post called Instagram Reels. So how is it different from Instagram Stories and regular video posts?<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ll explain everything you need to know about Reels and how it compares to TikTok from a marketing perspective.<\/span><\/p>\n

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There are so many <\/span>things you should know about TikTok<\/span><\/a>. One of them is that TikTok is known as the video platform where users share short, edited clips that include music and visual effects. Usually these videos include challenges, reviews, duets, and skits. TikTok has made headlines when users encouraged each other to participate in politics. However, they are also in hot water since they could potentially be banned from the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Instagram Reels was initially being tested in Brazil (as early as 2019 winter). However, it’s been making rounds across 50 different countries including the United States, Japan, UK, Sweden, France, Germany, and many more since the beginning of August. We\u2019re not sure when countries like Poland will get access to the feature, but we\u2019re all hoping that it\u2019ll be accessible soon.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, what do you need to know about Instagram Reels and Instagram\u2019s strategy over the years? We\u2019ll go over it in the article below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instagram\u2019s history of adapting new features<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve been following Instagram for a while, you probably know that they added features from other platforms before.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>2012<\/span><\/a>, Mark Zuckerberg wrote an email where he said that they could acquire other platforms that are potential competition to Facebook.<\/span><\/p>\n

This type of thing has happened before, specifically with Snapchat. Snapchat was a popular platform among Millennials and Gen Z a few years back. The idea was that users could send each other or share brief videos or images for up to 24 hours before they would be deleted for good.<\/span><\/p>\n

There wasn\u2019t anything like Snapchat before, so that\u2019s why it was so popular at the time. Ever since Instagram added Stories and Snapchat redesigned their platform, <\/span>users started leaving<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s not surprising that Instagram grew at the time, and will continue to keep growing. Right now, the question is whether Instagram will be able to compete with TikTok. Facebook previously tried to get users interested in <\/span>Lasso<\/span><\/a> (2018) but it didn\u2019t work out. This was Facebook\u2019s first attempt to emulate TikTok, but it\u2019s about to be shut down for good.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now that we\u2019ve covered the background, we\u2019ll walk you through the Reels design and functions.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do Instagram Reels look?<\/b><\/h2>\n

It usually takes a bit more effort to prepare IGTV, so this is supposed to be an alternative to both <\/span>Stories<\/span><\/a> and IGTV. They look pretty much exactly how you would expect them to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The videos are shot in portrait mode and can last up to 15 seconds<\/b>, unlike TikTok, where you can upload clips that last a full minute. Fortunately, you can create a Reel in a few different ways. For example, you can upload them directly from Instagram or use files you recorded with your camera app. But unfortunately, you can\u2019t create Reels if you\u2019re not using the mobile application.<\/span><\/p>\n

Actually, Reels don\u2019t appear in your Stories straight away. They go straight to your feed but you can also share them to your Stories. If you have gone ahead and published it, you can\u2019t go back and share it to Stories. However, right before you press publish, you can add Stories as one of the places where you want to share it.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Creating a Reel (step-by-step)<\/b><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve used TikTok, then editing your Reels will be extremely easy. You can use or edit three components of the video:<\/span><\/p>\n