Yesterday Instagram announced the changes – all new video posts shorter than 15 minutes will be automatically distributed as Reels. Videos posted before this update will remain in the old format. The Videos and Reels tabs will merge into one to create a single section for all videos.

What does the update change?

If your account is public and you add a video to be turned into Reels, anyone can watch it and use the original audio to create their own Reels.
If your account is private, followers will only be able to watch Reels.
Anyone can remix your Reels as long as your account is public. However, remixing can be prevented in your account settings.

Updating may present some difficulties. In particular, it will be difficult to distribute horizontal videos if they are uploaded in the vertical Reels format.

The company started testing the novelty a few weeks ago, and in a few more weeks it will become permanent. Instagram says it’s an effort to offer users a full-screen immersive experience.

In addition to this update, Reels will allow you to record content and your reaction to it simultaneously on the main and front cameras. The Dual function in the Instagram camera will help to turn on two cameras together.

Instagram will also update the Template feature for Reels. Now, when opening the Reels camera, you can view many templates and upload photos and videos to the selected one at once. Last month, the company also allowed the creation of new Reels with the audio and format of an existing one.

In addition, the company expanded Reels Remix, its own version of TikTok Duets. More options for remix templates – you can choose between green screen, horizontal or vertical split screen, and picture-in-picture view to add your own video commentary to existing Reels. The remix will also be available for photos.