TL;DR
- You can now post Instagram Reels up to 3 minutes, doubling the previous 90-second limit.
- The update coincides with TikTok’s exit from the U.S., giving Instagram a chance to attract TikTok’s displaced users.
- Instagram is updating its profile layout to a rectangular grid, better matching vertical content trends.
- A new feature lets you see videos your friends liked or added Notes to, enhancing engagement within Reels.
Instagram has expanded its Reels feature, allowing you to upload videos up to three minutes long, doubling the previous 90-second limit.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri announced this change, stating it addresses user feedback that 90 seconds was too limiting.
Strategic Shift Amid TikTok’s U.S. Ban
This update coincides with TikTok’s shutdown in the United States.
On January 19, 2025, TikTok became unavailable nationwide after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law requiring its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban.
Previously, Mosseri resisted longer videos to maintain Instagram’s focus on connecting friends. However, with TikTok’s exit, Instagram is seizing the opportunity to attract displaced creators and viewers.
Profile Layout and Social Interaction Enhancements
In addition to longer Reels, Instagram is updating profile layouts from a square grid to a rectangular one, aligning with the vertical format of most content.
While some users may find this change jarring, it reflects evolving posting habits.
Moreover, Instagram is introducing a feature that displays videos your friends have liked or added Notes to in your Reels feed, fostering greater social interaction.
Future Prospects
Instagram tested Reels up to 10 minutes but hasn’t implemented this extension, keeping longer videos for non-Reels posts.
This cautious approach suggests Instagram is balancing user demand for longer content with its identity as a platform for concise, engaging videos.
With TikTok’s absence, Instagram’s enhancements position it to capture a larger share of the short-form video market, offering you more flexibility in content creation and engagement.
