You may have noticed that after the latest Instagram update, your feed is looking a liiiiitle different these days. The head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, gave us a head’s up about this change this Spring when he talked about how Instagram would be focusing on prioritizing videos and consolidating video formats. We saw just that with the latest update.

Our home feeds are now 9:16, meaning that, like TikTok, it is now all vertical. Mosseri says this update is to make content more “immersive”. Reels and IG Video have also merged, so now the only video format on Instagram is Reels — but that doesn’t mean that you’re limited to 90 seconds and that your videos have to be some sort of trendy dance. (You can watch Mosseri’s full update on the latest Reels features HERE).

What does this mean for your current social media strategy?

Reels have become the fastest-growing feature worldwide, with Instagram reporting that they make up more than 20% of a user’s time within the app.

Some other Reels statistics that might surprise you:

• 91% of active users say they watch videos on Instagram.
• Meta reports that up to 675.3 million users can be reached using ads on Instagram Reels.
• Content on Instagram Reels gets 22% more engagement compared to regular videos on Instagram.

If your current strategy isn’t utilizing Reels, or you’ve been reluctant to incorporate them, it maaay be time to reconsider. Reels can be a great way to show off your brand’s personality; provide “edutainment” (educational content that’s also entertaining for your audience); highlight products or feature upcoming launches; and expand your reach. And if you are going to post an image or graphic, be sure that you’re posting those as 1350×1080 to better utilize the vertical space, as opposed to 1080×1080.

Need some ideas to spark your creativity for how Reels can benefit your business?

• Introduce yourself/your team
• Share a “day-in-the-life” or a glimpse behind the scenes
• Before + After (show off your skillset/expertise)
• Top apps/tools you use in your business or other tips that may benefit your ideal audience
• Promote a product/service or tease an upcoming launch
• Tell your story, share your brand’s mission/purpose, etc.
• FAQs (use Reels to answer some of your most frequently asked questions you get in your industry)

Don’t be afraid to jump on current trends and make them your own! You don’t need to dance, but some of the trending audio can be applied in fun ways — think out-of-the-box and be creative! Using a trending audio will further increase your reach, and the more unique your take, the greater chance of peaking other’s interest!

Tired of having to keep up with all of the Instagram updates? Check out our services to help you take the stress out of social and grow your online presence while doing less.

**UPDATE: July 26, 2022: Adam Mosseri has clarified that the full-screen feature was just a test and that they have switched the feed back after feedback from users. However, it’s no secret that Instagram is still focusing on trying to improve the way its users view content and are constantly seeking to evolve the platform.