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Instagram Reels last for up to 30 days after being posted before they expire, with the exception of pinned reels which have no expiration date. Reels can be repinned multiple times to keep extending their life.
What are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels are short, entertaining videos up to 30 seconds that live on the Instagram app. Users can record and edit multiple clips together with audio, effects, filters, and more creative tools. Reels can be shared to the Explore page or directly on your profile to be seen by your followers.
Reels have quickly become one of the most popular ways for users to express themselves creatively and go viral on Instagram. Brands, influencers, creators, and regular users alike are utilizing Reels as a fun and engaging storytelling format.
The Lifespan of an Instagram Reel
When you first post a reel, it will remain visible in the Reels tab for up to 30 days. After 30 days, the reel will no longer appear unless you repin it.
However, there are a couple factors that determine exactly how long a specific reel will last:
- Engagement – Reels receiving lots of engagement in the form of likes, comments, and shares tend to stick around longer in the Reels tab. Instagram wants to promote popular content.
- Repinning – At any time, you can choose to repin an existing reel which resets its lifespan back to 30 days from the time you repinned it.
Essentially, continuing to repin a reel every 30 days allows it to live indefinitely. There is no limit to how many times you can repin a reel to your profile.
Do Reels Expire?
After 30 days of not being repinned, a reel will be removed from the Reels tab and Explore page. However, it will still exist on your Instagram profile for as long as your account is active.
Followers who visit your profile will still be able to see and engage with the reel – its lifespan is only limited on the public discovery pages. So reels do not completely expire, they just become profile-exclusive after 30 days.
Can You Re-Share an Expired Reel?
If one of your reels gets removed from the Reels tab after 30 days, you can easily share it again by repinning it. Just go to your profile, open the reel, and tap the pushpin icon to repin it.
Repinning brings the reel back into the public eye, resetting the 30-day lifespan. You can repin multiple times to keep a reel circulating as long as you want.
Do Pinned Reels Expire?
Pinned reels are different – they do not have an expiration date. Pinning a reel to the top of your profile keeps it there indefinitely until you unpin it.
You can only pin one reel at a time. But pinned reels remain visible no matter how old they get, unlike regular reels that disappear after 30 days.
How to Increase a Reel’s Lifespan
If you want a reel to stick around longer than 30 days, there are a few strategies to try:
- Repin it frequently to reset the timer
- Pin it to the top of your profile so it never expires
- Promote it via links in Stories and posts to drive engagement
- Use relevant hashtags so it appears in keyword searches
- Engage with your audience in the comments
Essentially, keeping a reel active and engaging with your audience will motivate Instagram to promote it longer in the Reels and Explore tabs.
Do Deleted Reels Disappear Right Away?
When you officially delete a reel, it does get removed immediately. But there is a short grace period where you can still recover it:
- For the first few hours after deletion, you may be able to restore the reel from the Recently Deleted section in your profile.
- For up to 30 days after being deleted, you can request to restore the reel through Instagram’s support options.
After 30 days though, an erased reel and its view count are gone for good. So double check before permanently deleting any reels.
Reels With Copyrighted Material
If your reel gets removed by Instagram for containing copyrighted material you don’t have rights to, it will disappear right away from public visibility.
However, it will still be visible on your profile – Instagram just limits its reach. Repinning it will be blocked to prevent further promotion.
Effects of Account Suspension
If your Instagram account gets suspended for violating guidelines, your reels will disappear from visibility everywhere. They will remain recoverable if you manage to reinstate your account.
But if your account gets permanently disabled, all reels and content will be gone for good.
Reels on Business and Creator Accounts
For business, creator, and professional accounts, reels follow the exact same rules. They last 30 days, can be repinned, and remain visible on your profile afterwards.
The only difference is that Instagram tends to promote branded content less in the public Reels and Explore tabs. But organic growth is still very possible.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Reach
Here are some pro tips if you want your reels to last longer and be seen by more people:
- Post at optimal times based on your audience analytics.
- Use relevant and trending hashtags and songs.
- Engage regularly with your audience in the comments.
- Check back every 30 days to repin old performing reels.
- Promote your best reels via link posts and stories.
- Save evergreen, popular reels by pinning them for the long haul.
With the right strategy tailored to your audience, reels can continue reaching new viewers long after their initial 30 days in the spotlight.
In Summary
Instagram reels last for up to 30 days from posting before expiring, but can be extended and repinned multiple times. Pinned reels have unlimited lifespan. While reels disappear from public areas after 30 days, they remain visible on your profile as long as your account is active. Maintaining engagement and repinning is key for longevity.