INTRODUCING

INSTAGRAM REELS
Reels in Explore

A new way to create

entertaining short videos,
reach new audiences,
and be part of cultural
moments on Instagram

Be creative
Creative tools that are easy to
use, and help you make
entertaining, 15 second videos

Reach new audiences

Share to a new, large space in
Explore which only highlights
entertaining, creative Reels

Be part of a moment
Create 15 second videos with
popular songs, trends, or
challenges and be part of a larger
moment on Instagram
WHAT MAKES A REEL?

Reels are funny,

creative, real and
most importantly, fun

Reels are a 15 second video that

MAKE PEOPLE LOL

ARE SURPRISING

TIMELY

PEOPLE WANT TO
WATCH AGAIN

GIVES PEOPLE IDEAS

 HOW IT WORKS

1 Reels in Instagram camera

Swipe to the Instagram camera. You'll
see "Reels" where you can begin
creating your video.

2 Creative tools
Tools that will help you make these
creative videos. Use any or all of these
features. 

AUDIO Select a song from the Instagram

music library to be featured in
your Reel.

SPEED Speed up or slow down the music

you select. Change the speed for the
whole video, or only for certain clips.

EFFECTS Record a clip using any Instagram

effects. Record multiple clips with
different effects.

TIMER Use the timer to help you record

hands-free

GHOST TOOL Line up your takes with Ghost

OVERVIEW OF AR
Use effects to easily enhance the storytelling, look and feel and mood
of your Reels.

Some of our favorite effects for Reels

There are 1000+ you can use but here are a few of the AR effects we
recommend:

EFFECTS THAT EFFECTS THAT ARTISTIC EFFECTS THAT

ENHANCE YOUR ENHANCE THE STORY HELP CHANGE THE
REEL’S LOOK AND YOU’RE TELLING  MOOD OF YOUR REEL HOW TO
FEEL FIND MORE
AR
EFFECTS

MIRROR KALEIDOSCOPE INFINITE ZOOM MOUTH FACE PARTICLE CHROMATIC DELAY

WHEN YOU SCROLL

ALL THE WAY TO THE
RIGHT ON YOUR AR
EFFECTS, USE THIS
ICON TO SEARCH A
LIBRARY OF MORE
EFFECTS THAT YOU
CAN SAVE INTO
YOUR CAROUSEL
LED STARBURST RAYBURST GREEN-SCREEN (ADD YOUR OWN MEDIA MOTION BLUR LIGHT LEAK
AS THE BACKGROUND)

When users open their Reels camera, they will click on effects and see a
few top AR effects to use to enhance their Reel.
 Create Reels: Express your creative side

3 Multiple clips 4 Timeline

• Record multiple clips up to • Review your Reel,

15 seconds or all at once see all of the clips
• You can also stitched together in a
• Use different effects for each timeline
clips • Add timed text or
• Upload video from your phone stickers
gallery
• Review your clip, delete or re-
record it
• If you like your clip, start
recording your next one

Share Reels: Reach new audiences

Share your Reel to a new space in Explore, with the option to also share on your Feed with your
followers

Reels

Share to Reels, a new place in Share to Reels + Feed and The Reels you share will
Save Reels to your
Explore and reach new your Reel will be shared with be featured in a
Drafts and post later
audiences
your followers and also separate “Reels” tab on
Explore your profile
Your Reel won’t be shared

to your Feed
Reels in Explore Reels on Feed Reels in Profile
How your Reels can help you reach more people

Reels in Explore can be watched by anyone on Instagram

Reels will be selected based on someones interests and what

else is in their Explore grid

Reels will only feature entertaining, creative and funny Reels

(no other Stories, Lives or IGTV)

Reels in Explore

People can also Use a certain song,

discover your Reel audio or hashtag for
by clicking on a your video to be
Reel in their Feed, featured on one of
and seeing other those pages
recommended
Reels

Reels in Feed Song , Audio and

hashtag pages
Upload Original Content to Inspire Creation

Creators love to to get inspiration from your content, think

about your most popular :15 second clips and upload them on
to Reels

Anyone will be able to access these clips and use the audio to
create their own Reels

Upload as many of these clips as you think people will enjoy

Reels

and consider keeping these updated often as new challenges

and trends emerge

Reels in Explore

@theoffice

Upload clips from some of

your most known and loved By clicking the use
properties so that creators audio button, anyone
can access through Reels will be able to use
and use the original audio to your original audio to
create their own take on the create their own reel
clip.

Original audio
How to create a Reel

STEP 1 Find your idea

Think of something people can relate to, and add your take.

Browse through the Effects gallery. You may find an effect you'll
want to use in a video.

Stay tuned to challenges, hashtags or songs that are trending.

You can recreate these videos with your personal touch.

Make your passion (e.g. artistic make-up) into an entertaining,

relatable video (dance, cooking, sports).

STEP 2 Frame your idea into a 15-second video

Make sure you are telling a story from beginning to end. Include
different characters (and perform them by yourself) if you're going for
a comedy sketch video.

Use a song's beat as marks for your dance moves, editing

transitions and effects.

To create a script for your video, write down what each clip of the
video should look like and what the music will be for that moment.
How to create a Reel

STEP 3 Make your shoot a success

Think about setting, lighting, costume, make-up, music and effects before you shoot

Make sure your light source is behind the camera and shoot in
natural light when possible. 

Use colors to set the tone and give a trademark to your videos.
Lighting effects can also help to set different moods in each clip.

You don't have to be a great dancer to create a viral dance video.

Use basic dance moves and use effects or editing tools to make it
fun and shareable.

Use music, text and editing tools to add punchlines or tell your story.

Make the first 2 seconds of the video extremely engaging and draw
the viewer in.

STEP 4 Publishing and optimizing your reels 

Create your own Reels style and use it frequently so people can
get familiar with your video style.

If you post your Reel to Feed, ask your followers to try to replicate
your original creation and tag you.

Use hashtags or popular songs to help more people find your Reel
Overall advantages of Reels 

Reels in Instagram Explore Stickers Community

Use the Instagram Only one place where your friends,

With over stickers you love in Reels followers and interests are all on

1B
people on Instagram,
your Reel can be
discovered by more
people on Instagram
Music library

All of the music you love

and use in your
Instagram Stories will be
fully integrated into
Camera

You don’t have to use other

apps to create and edit fun
videos that you want to share on
Instagram, you can now use
Reels, too them directly on Instagram

Frequently asked questions

Will it be available on both iOS and Who can see Reels in Explore?
Android? As of now, people will only be able to see Reels in the
Yes, Reels will be available for both. countries where Reels is available. If you create and
share a Reel to feed, people who follow you and live
Can you cross-post to Facebook? outside of those markets will still be able to see the
You will not be able to share your Reels to Reel. They just won't be able to create Reels of their
Facebook.  own.

Can you add links to Reels?  Business profiles?

You will not be able to add links to Reels.
Will interactive stickers work?
You will not be able to use interactive
stickers (poll, QA, challenges) in Reels.
Can you share a Reel to Direct?
Yes, you can share a Reel you create to someone on
Direct.
How can people engage with Reels?  at this time.
People can like, comment, save and share
Reels.
What information can I see about the
Reels I post?
You will see how many views and
comments your Reel receives.
How can others use my original audio?
Simply begin by uploading a reel with your own audio.
When you publish your reel, your audio will be attributed
to you. If you have a public account, other people can
create reels with that audio by selecting “Use Audio”
from your reel.
Business profiles who don’t currently have
access to music stickers will have access to
Reels, but cannot add music.
How do you report Reels?
You’ll be able to report a Reel just like you report
other content on Instagram.
Can I use Branded Content tools? 
You will not be able to use Branded Content tools
How can reels show up on original audio
pages?
For Original Audio page, the video where the
original audio comes from will be highlighted on
the page. 
How do I find reels that use a certain audio or
hashtag?
Click on the hashtag or audio in another reel, or
search in the search bar.
Can Reels be Boosted or Promoted?
No, not at the moment.
Reels Technical Specs

Use this guide to understand device-specific format specifications

iOS
Up to 15 seconds (less than 15s also ok,
as short as 3 seconds)

.mp4 format

Min 1080P, and 4K if available (note: the

user's video will be capped at 720p after
upload)

Upload aspect ratio: 9:16

ANDROID
Up to 15 seconds (less than 15s also ok,
as short as 3 seconds)

.mp4 format

Min 1080P, and 4K if available (note: the

user's video will be capped at 720p after
upload)

Upload aspect ratio: screen aspect ratio

of the user's device

Follow these steps below to upload existing

content from your camera roll on to Reels

STEP 1 STEP 2

Open Reels. To publish existing

content roll, swipe
up to pull up your
camera roll.

STEP 3 STEP 4

Select the video Add audio, text

you’d like to and other effects if
upload. There will you’d like before
also be an option publishing your
to trim the video. content to Reels.