Instagram is testing a new feature that allows creators to upload videos lasting up to 90 minutes. The move marks a major change for a platform widely known for its short-form Reels.
The new format, called Features, is designed for longer content. Creators could use it to publish podcasts, interviews, and detailed videos directly on Instagram.
The platform is testing the feature in Brazil and has started expanding it to a limited group of users in the United States. The company has not announced a global release date.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced the development alongside Vice President of Product Tessa Lyons. Mosseri previously expressed concerns about adding long-form videos to the platform.
He believed short videos encouraged users to share content and communicate through direct messages. However, the company is now exploring ways to support longer videos alongside its existing formats.
Instagram Gives Long-Form Videos Another Chance
Instagram has experimented with longer videos before. Its previous attempt included IGTV, a separate long-form video product launched in 2018. The company later discontinued the service.
The new Features format aims to make longer content available within Instagram itself. This could help creators reach audiences interested in more detailed videos without directing them elsewhere.
The company has clarified that Reels will remain an important part of the platform. Instead, Features will offer another option for creators who want to publish longer material.
Podcasts, interviews, discussions, and other extended videos could benefit from the new format. However, the company has not confirmed all the content categories it intends to support.
Creators Can Turn Long Videos Into Reels
Instagram is also testing a tool called Clips as Reels. It allows creators to extract shorter sections from their longer videos.
Creators can then publish these clips as Reels to reach more viewers. Each short clip will include a link to the original video.
This feature could help users discover longer content through Instagram’s short-video feed. Viewers interested in a clip can follow the link to watch the complete video.
The platform is also exploring additional features for video discovery. These include improved ways to find Live videos and a dedicated section on creator profiles.
The planned profile section would display connected Reels published as a series. Instagram is also allowing users to save longer videos for viewing through its TV application.
Could Instagram Offer More Ways for Creators to Earn?
The introduction of longer videos could help Instagram compete more directly with YouTube. Both platforms attract creators who publish video content for online audiences.
YouTube allows eligible creators to receive 55% of advertising revenue from qualifying long-form videos. Instagram, meanwhile, relies largely on brand partnerships and subscriptions for creator earnings.
Meta has not announced a fixed advertising revenue-sharing model for the new Features format. A company spokesperson said it was exploring different ways creators could earn money.
These options could include brand deals, fan support, and payments linked to content performance. However, the company has not confirmed whether Features will include direct revenue sharing.
Instagram has previously said its performance-based payment programs can cost more than they generate. Longer videos could create new advertising opportunities, but their financial impact remains unclear.
Instagram Feature Availability
Features and Clips as Reels are currently being tested in Brazil. The rollout has also expanded to a limited group of users in the United States.
Instagram has not confirmed when either feature will become available worldwide. The company plans to continue developing how short and long videos work together across mobile and TV applications.
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For now, creators in other markets will need to wait for further announcements. The testing phase will help determine how the new formats fit into Instagram’s existing video experience.
