Instagram Debuts Reels to Rival TikTok

Facebook-owned Instagram has rolled out a new way to create and share videos – Reels – to rival popular Chinese app, TikTok.

The social media platform says that users can share reels with their followers on Feed, and if they have a public account, make them available to the wider Instagram community through a new space in Explore.

Here’s a closer look at how to use Reels, according to Instagram:

Select Reels at the bottom of the Instagram camera. Reels can be recorded in a series of clips (one at a time), all at once, or using video uploads from their gallery.

Record the first clip by pressing and holding the capture button. Users will see a progress indicator at the top of the screen as they record. Stop recording to end each clip.

User will see a variety of creative editing tools on the left side of their screen to help create a reel, including:

• Audio: Search for a song from the Instagram music library. Users can also use their own original audio by simply recording a reel with it. When users share a reel with original audio, other people can create reels with that audio by selecting “Use Audio” from their reel.
• AR Effects: Select one of the many effects in our effect gallery, created both by Instagram and creators all over the world, to record multiple clips with different effects.
• Timer and Countdown: Set the timer to record any clips hands-free. Once users press record, they’ll see a 3-2-1 countdown.
• Align: Line up objects from the previous clip before recording the next to help create seamless transitions for moments like outfit changes or adding new friends to the reel.
• Speed: Choose to speed up or slow down part of the video or audio that’s been selected. This can help users stay on a beat or make slow-motion videos.