Instagram has rolled out a new short-video tool Reels within its existing app in India. The new feature aims to be a Tiktok replacement. Though many Indian apps like Chingari, Mitron, and Roposo have gained popularity as an alternative to Tik-Tok.
Reels was first introduced in Brazil last year and later in France and Germany. Facebook-owned Instagram took the step to bring Reels in India after the central government banned 59 Chinese apps on June 30, giving a major set back to TikTok, Likee, Helo, etc. Instagram has revealed that video posts comprise one-third of total Instagram posts and about 45% videos of the total fall in 15 seconds cap. This stat has triggered the social media giant to come up with the concept of Reels.
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What is Reels on Instagram?
Reels is the new feature on Instagram which enables users to make and upload short videos up to 15 seconds in duration. Reels is a completely different platform but is implemented on the existing Instagram app. The feature will be available on the camera interface where users access live, boomerang, superzoom and other features for stories.
How does Reels work on Instagram?
To record the 15-sec video, Instagram fans get plenty of background music libraries and effects including speed control, zoom, blur, slo-mo, hyper-lapse, editing tools, marque effects like green screen, and more. Reels also offers Sparks AR to be used while creating content. The users can post such video to their feed and stories. The viewers will be able to find Reels on the Explore tab via a dedicated button on the top in later updates.
The Explore tab enables an easy scroll to the next and previous videos similar to that of Tik-Tok. Reels also provides the option to add hashtags for a better filter and sorting. The public account users can share their Reels by usual postings as well as through the committed Explore tab. While those having a private account can only share through feeds, stories, and direct messages which will disappear in 24 hours.
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When will Reels be available in India?
Instagram has started rolling out Reels in India at 7:30 IST on July 8. The company stated that Reels is in a testing phase in India and general users will get access gradually. All you can do is keep checking the camera interface to find if you got Reels.
