Instagram Tests Reels 90 Seconds Long

Meant as a short video service, a response to TikTok, Instagram Reels can grow further than that. No, Instagram is testing 90-second videos for Reels. This ability is available only to select content creators, though everyone can enjoy what they upload. If it proves fruitful, everyone will get more time to express themselves on Reels.

The common limit for a Reels length so far is 60 seconds, which is enough to make a funny video sketch or to tell a joke, or just to boast new makeup, or haircut. Yet there can be more to Reels. The format of longer stories leaves more freedom for creators… as well as for advertisers that can monetize on embedding ads.

As you create a video, you can choose its length in the upper left corner. Along with the already familiar options of 15, 30, or 60 seconds, now there’s another, simply saying “90”. Choose it, and you will be able to record or upload a 90-second video, which is 30 seconds longer than the previous limit.

Not that it’s something completely new. The feature first popped up in February, when some users discovered they could make longer Reels videos. Now, more users are blessed with this ability. But their number is still far from millions. We can still talk of a very tight circle of those invited to participate in testing.

So far, Instagram does not reveal when it plans to introduce this feature for all its users. Probably it depends on how well is will perform with the testers. Longer Reels make sense as they allow for both better content and deeper engagement of users. The more time they spend on Instagram, the more attractive the platform becomes for advertisers and promoters as well as for creators.

Do you often create and upload Reels? What would you do with these extra 30 seconds? Do they make Reels any more attractive than its rivals? Let us know what you think about it in the comments!