Posting long videos on Instagram can be frustrating, especially when you realize the platform limits the length of your content. You might have a lot to say or show, but Instagram’s time restrictions make it hard to share everything in one post. This leaves many users wondering how to post longer videos without cutting important parts.
Luckily, Instagram offers some ways to get around these limits. In this guide, we’ll explain the options available to help you share your longer content with your followers. You’ll learn step-by-step how to extend your video length on Instagram and keep your audience engaged.
Longer Videos On Instagram: The End Of IGTV
In 2021, Instagram streamlined its video content by merging IGTV with regular feed videos. Now, all videos longer than 60 seconds are posted under the Instagram Video tab. This change means there’s no separate IGTV section anymore. Instead, users can upload videos up to 60 minutes directly into their feed if their account is verified or has a large following.
By integrating IGTV into regular posts, Instagram simplified the process of uploading and discovering long-form content. If you previously used IGTV, don’t worry—your longer videos are still available in the Video section of your profile.
This update shows Instagram’s commitment to making content creation more seamless, while still allowing creators to share longer, engaging videos. Now that we know that Instagram no more allows longer vidoes
What Are Instagram’s Video Length Limits?
Instagram offers several formats for video posting, each with its own set of length restrictions. Knowing these limits is crucial for planning your content strategy effectively:
|
Format |
Maximum Length |
|
Instagram Feed (Regular accounts) |
15 seconds to 10 minutes |
|
Instagram Feed (Verified accounts/large followings) |
Up to 60 minutes |
|
Instagram Stories |
Up to 15 seconds |
|
Instagram Reels |
Up to 60 seconds |
|
Instagram Live |
Up to 4 hours |
|
Instagram Video Ads (Story) |
5-15 seconds |
|
Instagram Video Ads (Reels) |
Up to 30 seconds |
|
Instagram Video Ads (in Feed) |
Up to 60 minutes |
Why Should You Post Long Videos On Instagram?
Posting long videos on Instagram can significantly enhance your engagement and provide a deeper connection with your audience. Here are a few reasons why you might consider utilizing longer video formats:
- Extended Storytelling: Longer videos give you the opportunity to delve into detailed storytelling, providing a richer narrative that can captivate your audience more effectively than shorter clips.
- Increased Engagement: Longer content has the potential to keep viewers on your page longer, which can signal to Instagram’s algorithms that your content is engaging, thus potentially increasing your reach and visibility.
- Showcase Expertise: For businesses and professionals, long videos are an excellent way to demonstrate expertise, share detailed tutorials, or host Q&A sessions, thereby building trust and credibility with your audience.
- More Ad Opportunities: With Instagram Live, you have the option to include ad breaks, which can be a valuable source of revenue if you have a large enough viewership.
- Community Building: Live videos, in particular, allow for real-time interaction with viewers, fostering a sense of community and loyalty among your followers.
Leveraging these benefits can help you maximize the impact of your Instagram presence. By choosing the right moments for longer videos, you can create more meaningful connections and sustain a vibrant community around your content.
How To Post Long Videos On Instagram?
1. Via Reel
- Open Instagram and tap the ‘+’
- Choose ‘Reel’ from the options.
- Hold down the record button to start recording your video, you can record multiple clips totaling 60 seconds.
- After recording, edit your Reel by adding effects, text, or music.
- When you’re happy with your Reel, tap the arrow icon to go to the sharing screen.
- Add a caption, hashtags, and tags if you like.
- Tap ‘Share’ to post your Reel.
2. Instagram Live Video
- Open the Instagram app and tap the camera icon at the top left or swipe right from anywhere in your feed.
- Swipe left at the bottom to select ‘Live.’
- Tap ‘Start Live Video’ to begin your stream, which can last up to 4 hours.
- Interact with your audience by responding to comments and questions.
- To end the stream, tap ‘End’ at the top right.
- You can share your live video to your story for 24 hours or discard it.
3. Via Story
- Open the Instagram app.
- Tap the camera icon in the top left corner or swipe right from anywhere in your feed.
- Hold down the record button to start recording your video. You can record multiple segments if needed.
- After recording, add text, stickers, or drawings to your video if you want.
- Tap ‘Your Story‘ to share your video to your Instagram Story.
4. Via Embed Link From YouTube To Instagram
- Upload your video to YouTube.
- Copy the video link from the address bar or use the ‘Share’
- Open Instagram and create an IG Story and add the video thumbnail to the story.
- Tap on the Media icon at the top, choose the Link option, and paste the YouTube video URL.
- Tap Done to embed the link in your IG Story.
- Share your Story on Instagram to upload the video.
Why Can’t I Post Instagram Videos Over 15 Minutes Long?
The limitation on video length, especially exceeding 15 minutes on Instagram, is primarily due to the platform’s design and user experience strategy. Instagram initially focused on quick, consumable content that users could easily scroll through. Here’s why longer videos are generally restricted:
- User Engagement: Instagram’s algorithm favors content that keeps users engaged without overwhelming them. Longer videos might deter users who prefer shorter, more digestible content while scrolling.
- Quality of Service: Streaming longer videos requires more data and can strain the network, affecting the overall user experience, especially on mobile devices.
- Content Quality: By limiting video length, Instagram encourages creators to produce high-quality, concise content that captures attention without filler.
- Platform Identity: Instagram has carved out its niche as a platform for quick visual sharing. Extending video lengths too much could blur the lines between Instagram and other video-centric platforms like YouTube.
Instagram’s video length restrictions might seem limiting, but they are designed to maintain a streamlined and engaging experience for both content creators and viewers.
What To Do If Your Video Exceeds The Time Limit?
If your video surpasses Instagram’s standard time limits, there are several strategies you can employ to share your content effectively:
- Split Your Video: Divide longer videos into smaller segments that conform to Instagram’s limits for Stories or feed posts. This approach can also help maintain viewer interest over multiple posts.
- Edit for Impact: Trim your video to highlight the most engaging or important parts, ensuring it delivers value within the allowed timeframe. Effective editing can often enhance the viewer’s experience by cutting out unnecessary parts.
- Promote on Other Platforms: If Instagram’s time limits are too restrictive, consider using other platforms like YouTube for your long-form video, and use Instagram to post previews or snippets with a link to the full video.
- Series Creation: Turn a long video into a series of episodes. This not only fits within Instagram’s constraints but also builds anticipation and encourages followers to return for more.
Implementing these strategies allows you to adapt your video content to fit Instagram’s framework while still reaching your audience effectively.
FAQs:
Instagram occasionally updates its features to enhance user engagement. Recently, it extended the maximum length for Reels to 90 seconds, allowing creators more flexibility and creativity in their content. However, the 90-second limit is no longer applicable.
Each Instagram Story segment can be up to 15 seconds long. If you upload a video longer than 15 seconds, Instagram automatically splits it into multiple 15-second segments.
There is no official limit on the number of Reels you can share per day. However, it’s essential to focus on quality over quantity to maintain your audience’s interest and engagement.
For larger videos, it’s recommended to compress them before uploading to avoid quality loss. Use video editing software to reduce file size while maintaining resolution and clarity.
The time limit for Reels is set by Instagram and cannot be extended beyond what is officially allowed (currently up to 90 seconds). Focus on creating concise, engaging content within this timeframe.
To repost longer Reels, use third-party apps designed for reposting Instagram content, ensuring you properly credit the original creator.
As of the latest developments, the maximum length for Reels is 90 seconds. If you come across articles mentioning a shorter duration like 60 seconds, it’s likely referring to an older policy.
Conclusion
Successfully integrating long videos into your Instagram strategy can greatly enhance how you connect with your audience. By understanding the platform’s video length limits, employing strategic content creation, and using the appropriate formats for longer videos, you can maximize your impact on Instagram. Whether it’s through breaking down videos into shorter segments for Stories or creatively using Reels, there are numerous ways to engage effectively with your followers. The key is to deliver compelling, high-quality content that resonates with your viewers and keeps them coming back for more.
