Instagram will now allow users to upload longer and uninterrupted stories as it will not be broken up into segments, as Meta confirmed via TechCrunch. Late last year, when the beta testing rolls out to some users.
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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Elspeth Scrine from the band Huntly posts an Instagram story to her followers before her performance is live streamed via her phone as part of Isol-Aid on April 05, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. The online music festival was organised in response to the increasing restrictions on travel and gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Users will not be tapping out stories to skip as Instagram introduces its newest feature. Adding to this is the ability for users to have two options for posting contents with having Reels and Stories.
Meta's Spokesperson stated via email, "We are always working on ways to improve the Stories experience. Now, you'll be able to play and create Stories continuously for up to 60 seconds, instead of being automatically cut into 15 second clips."
Stories and Reels
Last June, Instagram also updated its Reels feature by increasing its content duration to 90 seconds limit, compared to its 60 second limit. Along with this, a video shorter than 15 minutes will now be automatically shared as Reels.
All of these changes are what Instagram is planning for its transition to becoming a discovery engine application since its announcement. As per Instagram Head Adam Mosseri, the platform will focus on video products.
Competing with TikTok
Instagram has been changing its features to compete with TikTok for some moment of time now. This started when Mosseri stated that more of its video content is gaining more engagements than its usual photo content.
The algorithm was also changed by Instagram where contents from other unfollowed users were shown in the feed by an AI. Recommended contents were also added based on the users' likes and existing followings.
Only last month when the platform also added a 'Remixed' feature on the platform that is very similar to the 'Duet' and 'Stitch' features of TikTok.
This move from Instagram did not threaten TikTok Chief Executive Officer Kevin Mayer as he is happy and confident to compete with them. He described the feature as another copycat product from them.
Backlash from the People
People on the internet criticized this move from Instagram as it makes them a carbon copy of TikTok and starting to lose its originality. CNBC reported that a lot of users were disappointed with these updated features, including the Kardashians.
Adding to this is the report from The Wall Street Journal that reveals data of users not spending much time engaging on Reels features. Only 2.3 million Reels are posted by the users each month knowing that the platform has 11 million users in the United States alone.
Related Article: Instagram Reels Users Receive Low Engagement as per Leaks, Far Behind its Rival TikTok
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Written by Inno Flores
