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With Reels now being 3 minutes long, will short-video platforms still feel the same? Let's discuss!

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Smrithi Mohan
New Update
3 minute long reels

Videos shorter than one minute have always been a highlight of short video platforms like Reels. But with the new 3-minute update, how would it work for creators? Mrinmoyee Ghose, Mahek Pundir and Saloni Khogta share their insights.

In the wake of popular social media apps suffering a ban to people becoming desperate to find a new place to share their content, Meta decided to update and renovate its existing platform Instagram which is considered as ‘the hub’ for all things content creation. This platform is constantly upgrading and updating its features to keep users engaged. 

The most recent update people expressed their upset over is Instagram's new feed layout. The feed, which previously featured square posts, has now transitioned to a 4 x 5 rectangular format. In addition to this layout change, Instagram also introduced other features. Users can now see views on regular photo posts, with the option to disable the feature, while the highlight bubbles will no longer to visible and placed in a separate tab, similar to how Reels are organized.

Another feature will allow users to schedule a time and date for Instagram messages. Furthermore, the platform will focus on pushing smaller creators on the "For You" page. There will also be an additional option that will allow creators to share their Reel with non-followers, and analyze its performance before deciding to post it on their main page. Although these updates sound like something that will make the user experience better, the platform's decision to extend the Reels from 1 minute to 3 minutes is a conversation starter.

Also Read: Rednote welcomes America's 'TikTok refugee' and becomes #1 app in America

The appeal of Reels lies in their ability to deliver stories in under a minute. Anything above that tends to lose our interest, mostly because of the shorter attention span we developed over the years. For a platform that established itself as a short-video platform, we know that Instagram’s new decision to extend Reel from 90 seconds to 3 minutes, though questionable was always going to happen. Lifestyle creator Mahek Pundir, who is enjoying her steady growth in the industry, accepts that with multiple short-form platforms and content dominating, the short Reel era has reached a saturation. The only thing that is keeping viewers engaged through a Reel is its storytelling. "Let’s face it! Most short-form content doesn’t fascinate in our minds. But a compelling story, an out-of-the-box experience, or something so unique you feel the urge to share it with others? That’s what sticks." This just means that good content has little to do with how long it is and more with how unique it is.

Considering how creators usually have more to offer, the time limit on this platform restricts creators from sharing their stories within the limit. Multiple creators go beyond the 'attention-grabbing limit' and try to experiment with their storytelling. Content creator Mrinmoyee Ghose belongs to this category of creators. As someone who has also shared a Reel that was 11 minutes long, she welcomes the new update with open arms. “I know it may seem odd but I think IG is mirroring TikTok in every way that they can." The reason TikTok is considered a superior platform, especially in the creator space is not just because of the algorithm but also the fact that people can enjoy varied kinds of stories and content vertically. "You can watch complete 1 hour movies there as well and to some degree, it is replacing parts of YouTube in the West."

Meanwhile, these creators agree on how the new 3-minute Reel will help make creating content interesting. Mahek believes that a 3-minute Reel, if done well, can strike the perfect balance. "It's still short enough to be digestible but long enough to tell a story that resonates and leaves a lasting impression.” Saloni Khogta identifies the pros and cons that this new 3-minute Reel update will have. While they offer more room for storytelling and tutorials, she highlights how it can affect engagement. "A 3-minute video might lose engagement if it's not compelling from the start. For small creators like me, who are already struggling with growth, Instagram just became even more challenging." 

Mrinmoyee clarifies how the 3-minute update will help creators and their audience alike. "Currently, Instagram is so short-form and trend-focused that it restricts us as an audience and user from truly connecting with any piece of content or creator you watch because it’s always aesthetic and more superficial/snackable."

Platforms like YouTube could be considered one of the pioneers that offer longer video content that some viewers may seek. When compared to YT, watching longer videos vertically on short video platforms is what makes them less engaging. While users may find this new feature unnecessary, we cannot ignore how it will assist creators in their content creation journey.

What do you think of the new update? Let us know in the comments below.

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