The ever-changing rules of social media can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to video length. How long should your Instagram videos be? Is there a sweet spot for Instagram Reels, or is it a matter of trial and error? This guide will answer all your questions about Intagram Reel Ideas, Instagram video length, including how to optimize your content for maximum engagement.
Instagram Video Dimensions
The Essential Guide to Instagram Video Dimensions: What You Need to Know
To optimize your Instagram content for maximum reach and engagement, it's crucial to understand the platform's unique video specifications. Here's a breakdown of the dimensions, formats, and resolutions for every type of Instagram video, including posts, Stories, and Reels.
Instagram Feed Video
- Size & Dimensions: 1080 x 1350 pixels
- Format: MP4, MOV (recommended: H.264 codec)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:5 (9:16 in full-screen mode)
- Resolution: HD or 1080p
Feed videos are the bread and butter of Instagram. They appear in your followers' feeds and can be up to 60 seconds long (unless you’re posting a longer video, which will automatically be cut to one minute). To ensure your video looks its best, adhere to these guidelines.
Instagram Story Video
- Size & Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Format: MP4, MOV, GIF
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (16:9 in landscape mode)
- Resolution: HD or 1080p
Instagram Stories are ephemeral posts that last just 24 hours (unless saved as Highlights). You can share images and videos up to 15 seconds long in a Story, but longer videos can be split into multiple segments. Follow these specifications to guarantee your content displays correctly.
Instagram Reel Video
- Size & Dimensions: 1080 x 1920 pixels
- Format: MP4, MOV, GIF
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (16:9 in landscape mode)
- Resolution: HD or 1080p
Instagram Reels are the platform’s answer to TikTok. These short-form videos can be up to 90 seconds long and are often set to music. As with Stories, use these dimensions and formats to ensure your content looks sharp and polished.
Instagram Carousel Video
- Size & Dimensions: 1080 x 1080 pixels (square) or 1080 x 1920 pixels (vertical)
- Format: MP4, MOV, GIF
- Aspect Ratio: 9:16 (16:9 in landscape mode)
- Resolution: HD or 1080p
An Instagram carousel post can contain up to 10 images or videos that users can swipe through to view. To optimize your video for a carousel, remember that you can use either square or vertical dimensions. Just follow the guidelines above to ensure your content displays correctly.
Instagram Video Length for Stories and Reels
The Length of Instagram Reels: What You Need to Know
Duration
Up to 90 seconds, with a preference for shorter clips. More on that below.
Aspect Ratio
Vertical 9:16. Easily resize your video with the click of a button in Animoto.
Instagram Reels are akin to TikTok videos. They enable individuals and brands to create short, engaging videos of up to 90 seconds in length, showcasing their creativity and personality.
Regarding reel length, Instagram doesn’t specify an exact number, except to say that shorter is generally better.
Recently, the platform advised:
“Keep it short. Our community loves short, entertaining videos. Creating Reels is the best way to do this.” So, how many seconds does “keep it short” translate to? A general guideline for TikTok videos is between 7 and 15 seconds; however, we recommend experimenting with different video lengths to see how your particular audience responds.
Your sweet spot could be 6 seconds or 20 seconds; the only way to know is to test various video lengths and see what consistently garners the most engagement.
Instagram Stories Length: What You Need to Know
Duration
60 seconds.
Aspect Ratio
Vertical 9:16. Easily resize your video with the click of a button in Animoto.
Instagram Stories are photos and videos that Instagram users post to their Story and can be seen by their followers for up to 24 hours (unless they are saved to Instagram Highlights, where they can live indefinitely).
There is a 60-second limit per individual Instagram Story.
Instagram Video Length (Feed Videos): What You Need to Know
Duration
Up to 60 minutes.
Aspect Ratio
Square 1:1 and vertical 9:16. Easily resize your video with the click of a button in Animoto.
In the fall of 2021, Instagram announced that it would combine IGTV and feed videos into a single format called Instagram Video, creating a more streamlined video-watching experience for users. While you previously had to leave the main app to watch IGTV videos, all Instagram Videos now live in your feed and can be viewed when going to someone’s profile by clicking the video icon (the triangular play button icon) above the grid.
These videos can be up to 60 minutes long, but you can preview them in your feed for 60 seconds (except for videos that are eligible for ads, which will still preview for 15 seconds).
Crayo AI: Your Clip Creation Solution
Creating videos for social media can be time-consuming and complicated, but not with Crayo AI. Our clip creator tool allows you to make short videos from longer content instantly.
Simply upload your video, and our advanced AI analyzes it, identifying key moments and generating multiple short clip options for you to choose from. Customize your clip with a click — select different styles, add music or voiceovers, and more. Then, download and share to all your favorite platforms.
Crayo AI is the fastest way to create short videos. Create unlimited short videos at once. Crayo even auto-generates captions, effects, background, and music for you. Take advantage of an opportunity of a lifetime and make easy money with the TikTok creator fund program. Go from ideas to short videos in seconds:
- Write an outline/prompt,
- Customize the style (select a background video, voice narrator, and music from Crayo’s free templates),
- Finish and export! Go viral, make money, and make clips in seconds with Crayo.
Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today — just click the ‘Try Now’ button on our homepage to get started. No account required! Go from prompt to viral short videos in minutes with Crayo.
Related Reading
- How Long Can TikTok Videos Be
- Best Time to Post Instagram Reel
- How to Remove TikTok Watermark
- Can You Repost a Reel on Instagram
- How Long Is a Reel on Instagram
- How Many YouTube Shorts Should I Post a Day
- Instagram Reel vs Story
- How to Post a Reel on Instagram Story
- How to Post a Video on Instagram Without It Being a Reel
Benefits of Instagram Video Marketing
1. Instagram is the best place to get discovered
With over 1 billion monthly active users and 500 million active daily users, you have access to a vast audience that might not otherwise see your marketing efforts. Did you know that 90% of people on Instagram follow a business? Introduce your brand, showcase your personality, or offer product run-throughs using video to engage with new audiences. Using video marketing on Instagram can help to appeal to hesitant buyers and lead customers from the consideration phase to the decision stage.
Example: Gymshark
Gymshark regularly posts workout Reels featuring fitness influencers doing short, engaging exercises. These videos appeal to casual scrollers and potential customers by showcasing their gear in action.
Their strategy has led to millions of new followers who may have never visited their website but discovered them through viral fitness content.
2. Engage with your audience
Showing a smile and a friendly face helps users to connect with your brand on a more personal level than simply funneling bleak adverts into the ether. Video marketing on Instagram can help to humanise your business, leading to more engaged, loyal customers and a positive community. Post a Reel introducing the founder, conduct a live Q&A with the social media team, or post a teaser Story of your latest product drop to excite and engage. Ensure that you use captions where relevant to guarantee that your video content is accessible to all.
Example: Glossier
Glossier used IGTV and Reels to post behind-the-scenes videos of product development and packaging, as well as interviews with their team. They often host Q&As on Live or through Stories, creating an approachable and transparent brand voice, which fosters loyalty and emotional connection.
3. Convert your viewers into sales
93% of marketers stated that they acquired a new customer thanks to a video on social media. Additionally, a Facebook survey states that 1 in 3 Instagrammers had become ‘more interested in a brand or product after seeing it on Instagram Stories’. Video allows brands to show products in fun and exciting ways, through tutorials, outfit styling, cooking content, and more.
With video being a much more dynamic format than static imagery, users can see a product in motion, observe its behavior, and examine its appearance in more detail than on an e-commerce website. A well-informed consumer is more likely to make considered buying choices, resulting in higher value customers who return time and time again.
Example: Fenty Beauty
Fenty posts tutorials and short-form videos showcasing their makeup on diverse models, which helps viewers see how products look in real life. Many viewers convert into customers after seeing how inclusive and high-performing the products are, as evidenced by comments saying “adding to cart” or tagging friends.
4. Video content gets the most engagement
Video marketing on Instagram is an undervalued asset. Quintly, a social media analytics tool, conducted research into the engagement disparity between formats on Instagram. Videos received up to 21% more engagement than photos; however, photos remain the most popular format for posting and sharing. Our top Instagram video marketing tip is to capitalize on the engagement opportunities that video content provides. If you’re after an increase in metrics that matter, video is your friend.
Example: National Geographic Travel
Instead of only posting stunning photos, they post immersive Reels and Stories that show live-action clips from exotic locations. These videos consistently receive more comments, shares, and saves than static photos, increasing visibility and engagement.
5. Instagram is shifting towards video-first
Want to stay ahead of the curve? Now is the right time to invest in video marketing on Instagram. A study revealed that 32% of people look at a brand's social media account before visiting their website. If social is your users' first port of call, make it as engaging and personable as possible. Instagram video marketing offers you an opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make a great first impression.
Example: Duolingo
Duolingo went viral with humorous and relatable Reels using their owl mascot in real-life scenarios. Their bold shift to video-first content helped them connect with Gen Z, going from a dull education brand to a trendy social media presence that increased app downloads.
6. Video marketing on Instagram has a long shelf life
Along with increased engagement and sales, there is also an opportunity for increased visibility. Using the Explore function on Instagram, users can view popular videos, such as Reels, for weeks or even months after they have been posted. Suppose the reel consistently receives great engagement and views. In that case, Instagram will keep re-publishing it, keeping it in the ecosystem for longer, resulting in increased brand awareness and visibility that lasts much longer than static posts.
Example: Daniel Wellington
The brand frequently uses user-generated Reels that continue to circulate weeks after posting, thanks to their high engagement and shareability. A single well-performing Reel with an influencer might continue to bring in views and followers long after its release date.
7. Opportunities for repurposing across platforms
There’s no use in creating a fantastic piece of content if you’re only going to post it once on Instagram. A great Instagram video marketing tip, and one of our top benefits of digital marketing, is to keep it alive for longer by posting it across various platforms and formats. If you posted a reel a week ago, consider posting a teaser or synopsis of it in Stories. Alternatively, post it on TikTok to access a new audience. The greater the reach of your video, the larger the ROI will be. Pay once, reap the benefits forever.
Example: Red Bull
A single action sports Reel (e.g., skydiving or BMX trick) is edited for Stories, reposted on TikTok, shared on Facebook, and even reused in YouTube Shorts. Red Bull maximizes ROI by adapting duplicate content for different audiences, thereby expanding its brand reach each time.
8. Video marketing on Instagram is growing in popularity
The average social media user spent 53 minutes on Instagram per day in 2021, compared to 30 minutes in 2020. This sudden surge in platform usage may be a result of the pandemic; however, it is no surprise to us that users are more attached to their phones than ever. Consumers expect brands to deliver engaging and entertaining content to keep them interested. In a world so fleeting, video helps you to hold a user’s attention, meaning their eyes are on your brand for longer.
Example: Sephora
With users spending more time on the app, Sephora shares fast-paced tutorials, influencer takeovers, and “get ready with me” Reels that align with this trend. Their consistent posting of short, catchy videos has helped grow their audience and maintain user attention in a saturated market.
9. Use short-lived Stories to your advantage
Want to advertise a 24-hour sale or a limited promotion? Stories are the perfect place to promote content that isn’t evergreen or doesn’t suit your feed aesthetic. Additionally, offer your social followers early access to sales. This will encourage users to interact with your video marketing on Instagram more, leading to increased engagement.
Example: ASOS
ASOS frequently uses Stories to announce flash sales, limited-time drops, or exclusive promo codes available for a limited time. These short-lived campaigns drive urgency and interaction, while not disturbing their curated grid.
10. Expand your email database
Collecting emails via live videos is one of our favourite Instagram video marketing tips. Advertise a Q&A Instagram Live session where users can submit their questions in the hope of being answered. In doing so, request their permission for them to share their email, and bingo, your email database has just doubled. Email marketing is a vital tool that can be used in conjunction with your social media activity to create a comprehensive marketing campaign.
Example: HubSpot
HubSpot hosted an Instagram Live session with a marketing expert, promoting it with a swipe-up link that allowed users to submit questions via a form, which also collected their emails. This strategy resulted in hundreds of new subscribers added to their email marketing funnel while creating live content that builds trust.
Related Reading
- How to See Who Watched Your Reel on Instagram
- How to Post Full Reel on Instagram Story
- How to Speed Up Instagram Reel
- How to Add Music to Instagram Reel Without Copyright
- How Long Can a Reel Be on Facebook
- How to See Reel History on Facebook
- Facebook Reel vs Story
- How to Edit Reel Caption on Facebook
- How to Edit Text on Facebook Reel After Posting
- How to Share Instagram Reel to TikTok
- How to Pin a Reel on Instagram
9 Tips to Make Instagram Videos
1. Equip Crayo AI for Effortless High-Quality Video Creation
Crayo AI transforms the way you produce short videos, offering the quickest method to generate high-quality shorts. With Crayo, you can create unlimited videos simultaneously, and it automatically generates captions, effects, backgrounds, and music tailored to your content. This tool not only simplifies the creation process but also enables you to capitalize on opportunities like the TikTok Creator Fund.
Transform your ideas into engaging shorts in mere seconds: start with a prompt, customize your style from Crayo’s free templates, and export your finished product. Maximize your viral potential, monetize your content, and streamline your production with Crayo. Don’t miss out—explore Crayo’s free clip creator tool today, no account needed.
2. Stay Updated on Current Trends to Boost Engagement
Instagram Reels shares similarities with TikTok, as both platforms showcase viral challenges and trends. Leverage this insight by creating content that aligns with current trending topics. Doing so will enhance your visibility, leading to increased views and engagement on your Reels. To identify the latest trends, explore Instagram’s Explore page or utilize Google Trends for broader internet trend analysis.
3. Capture Attention Immediately: The Importance of Strong Openings
Engagement is critical in the world of Instagram Reels. Start your clips with an attention-grabbing moment or image to instantly captivate your viewers. This could be a surprising visual, a bold statement, or an intriguing question. Prioritize strong openings, as they set the tone for your entire video. Experiment with various formats and styles to discover what resonates with your audience, and refine your approach based on their feedback.
4. Establish a Consistent Posting Schedule for Optimal Results
Success on Instagram requires a commitment to regularly creating and sharing content. Develop a consistent posting schedule for your Reels to enhance visibility and engagement. This could mean sharing one video per week and gradually increasing frequency as you become more comfortable with the format. Consistency fosters audience trust, while varied content keeps them engaged and encourages them to return for more.
5. Target a Specific Audience to Maximize Relevance and Engagement
To optimize your Instagram strategy, it’s crucial to understand your audience and their preferences. This will help you create content that resonates with them, boosting engagement and increasing the likelihood of your Reels being shared. Use Instagram analytics to identify your followers’ demographics and interests, and tailor your content accordingly. By targeting a specific audience, you can increase your chances of going viral and attracting new potential followers.
6. Incorporate Popular Music and Sounds to Enhance Your Reels
Music and audio play a significant role in setting the mood for your Reels. Using popular songs or sounds can help your content feel current and relatable, increasing the likelihood of it being shared. Explore Instagram’s music library for trending audio options, and experiment with different tracks to discover what works best for your content. Additionally, consider using sound effects to add an extra layer of engagement and enjoyment for your audience.
7. Utilize Hashtags Strategically for Increased Discoverability
Hashtags remain a vital tool for enhancing the reach of your content on Instagram. By incorporating relevant tags into your Reels, you can improve their chances of being discovered by new viewers. Use Instagram’s search function to identify popular hashtags related to your content, and experiment with different combinations to see what drives the best results. Aim for a mix of broad, high-traffic tags and more niche options to optimize your discoverability efforts.
8. Optimize Your Videos for Mobile Viewing
Instagram Reels are predominantly viewed on mobile devices, so it’s crucial to optimize your content for smaller screens. This means creating vertical videos with an aspect ratio of 9:16, as well as ensuring your visuals and text are clear and easily legible. To achieve this, consider using video editing tools that allow you to adjust the format and size of your clips, helping you create polished, professional-looking content.
9. Analyze Competitors for Insights and Inspiration
To stay ahead of the game on Instagram, it’s essential to keep an eye on your competitors and their content strategies. Analyze their Reels and identify the tactics that resonate with their audience, then consider how you can adapt and improve upon these approaches for your own content. Additionally, expand your competitive analysis to include broader marketing strategies, such as email campaigns and influencer partnerships, to gain insights that can inform your Instagram efforts.
Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Instagram Video Length: The Basics
Instagram offers a range of video options, each with different time limits. Posts can feature videos up to 60 seconds long. For longer content, creators can share videos on IGTV, which allows for uploads of up to one hour. Instagram Live sessions can last up to four hours, and Reels now support videos of up to 10 minutes.
Instagram Video Length: Best Practices
To maximize engagement, use the entire 60-second limit for feed videos. For Reels, aim for 30 to 60 seconds, and hook viewers in the first few seconds. For longer videos, use attention-grabbing thumbnails and titles to encourage viewers to click.
Crayo AI is the fastest way to create short videos. Create unlimited short videos at once. Crayo even auto-generates captions, effects, background, and music for you. Take advantage of an opportunity of a lifetime and make easy money with the TikTok creator fund program. Go from ideas to short videos in seconds:
- Write an outline/prompt,
- Customize the style (select a background video, voice narrator, and music from Crayo’s free templates),
- Finish and export! Go viral, make money, and make clips in seconds with Crayo.
Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today — just click the ‘Try Now’ button on our homepage to get started. No account required! Go from prompt to viral short videos in minutes with Crayo.
Related Reading
- Instagram Reel Hashtags
- How to Remove Watermark From Instagram Reel
- Reel Dimensions Instagram
- How Many Collaborators on Instagram Reel
- How to Add Link to Instagram Reel
- How to Edit a Reel on Instagram
- How to Make a Reel on Instagram With Photos
- Most Liked Instagram Reel
- Instagram Reel Trends
- Instagram Audio Download
- Water Mark Remover
- Instagram Audio Downloader
- Instagram Story Length
- How to Repost a Reel on Instagram
- Repost Instagram Story