Instagram launches 'Reels' in US to provide users with ability to create, discover, & edit short-form videos

Instagram announced today the U.S. launch of Reels, a new Instagram format that gives anyone the ability to create and discover short-form, edited videos with audio and music.

A press release said, “Reels is a big part of the future of entertainment on Instagram – with Reels, Stories, Live and IGTV, Instagram is excited to give people more ways to create and enjoy video the way they want.”

Users want to make and watch short-form, edited videos – and with Reels’ new editing tools, creators across fashion, beauty, activism, comedy, food, fitness, sports, gaming and music can be discovered by Instagram’s huge, diverse community – or, share all they create/find with just their friends or followers. 

See HERE for Reels tutorials from @leethe4th and @parkerkhill who shared some next-level tutorials on how to make Reels using a green screen and seamless transitions on one’s next video. Tune in on @creators this week for more tutorials from creators sharing their tips and tricks for Reels.

With Reels, people and creators can make entertaining 15-second videos using editing tools to share with friends and followers. Share Reels with friends on Feed – and if one has a public account, they can also share a reel with the larger Instagram community in a new space in Explore, where it has the chance to be seen and discovered by the wider Instagram community. 

Whether one has a public or private account, they can share a reel to Stories, with close friends, or as a DM, giving them control over who the audience is. Reels shared these ways will not be in Explore, and will not appear on one’s profile.

Reels has AR effects from the effects library (created both by Instagram and creators all over the world), music from the music library and video editing tools, such as original audio, countdown and a new align tool, which gives people a fun and seamless way to line up different takes when creating Reels. 

The press release noted, “Instagram is excited to see how the community gets creative with Reels and for members to discover and break a whole new generation of Instagram talent.