TikTok Ban Effect: Instagram Now Lets You Post 3-Minute Long Reels

TikTok ban in the US is getting the rivals energised for some action. And right on cue, Instagram has introduced a major update, now supporting longer video uploads. Previously limited to videos of up to 90 seconds, creators can now share content lasting up to three minutes. This update aims to offer creators more flexibility to tell their stories and create immersive experiences for their audience.

This update comes in response to creator feedback and was one of the most requested features, providing more opportunities for storytelling. This change doubles the previous limit with the aim to provide creators with more room for creative expression.

Sharing about the same, Instagram head Adam Mosseri dropped a reel to confirm the news. In the video, Mosseri says, “Starting today you can upload reels to Instagram up to 3 minutes long. Now historically it's only been 90 seconds, and that's because we wanted to focus on Instagram on short-form videos, not on long-form videos."

“But we have heard a lot of feedback from a lot of you creators out there that 90 seconds is just too short. We hope that increasing the limit to three minutes will help you tell the stories you really want to share," he added.

Instagram isn’t the first platform to bring this support for its short videos. In fact, before the news about TikTok ban started, YouTube updated its Shorts policy to increase the video limit from 60 seconds to three minutes.

In the other news, Instagram will now show your liked reels to your friends, enhancing social interaction on the platform. This update will highlight the likes and reactions friends have liked or commented on in the app. Also, if you tap through on that indicator, you will be able to view posts that your friends have engaged with. In addition to this, the tech giant is also replacing square profile grids with rectangular ones, aiming for a more visually appealing look.