What is an instagram reel vs post?

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Instagram Reels are short, entertaining videos up to 60 seconds long that can be created within Instagram and shared to a wider audience. Instagram posts, on the other hand, can contain either one photo or an album of up to 10 photos, along with a caption. Reels allow more creativity with editing tools and music, while posts are simpler to create.

What are Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are a new video feature launched by Instagram in 2020 as a competitor to TikTok. Reels allow users to create entertaining short-form videos up to 60 seconds long using creative tools and music from Instagram’s library.

Some key features of Instagram Reels include:

• Video length up to 60 seconds
• Creative editing tools like timers, countdowns, speed controls
• Music library with thousands of songs to add to videos
• AR effects to add filters or overlays
• Align tool to easily line up objects from previous clips
• Drawing tool to draw on videos
• Sticker library
• Green screen mode

Reels videos auto-play with sound on, so they are designed to capture attention as users scroll through Instagram. They can go viral quickly if they gain traction. Reels are more entertainment and trend focused compared to standard photo/video posts.

Where Reels Appear in Instagram

Reels can be shared and viewed in several areas of Instagram:

• Reels Tab – There is a dedicated Reels tab in Explore where you can watch popular reels from creators across Instagram. This is the main place to consume reels.
• User Profiles – You can post reels to your own profile like regular posts. Followers will see them there mixed in with photos/videos.
• Stories – Reels can be shared as stories that disappear after 24 hours. Friends will see them in your story carousel.
• Explore Page – Trending reels may show up on the Explore page along with top photos and videos.
• Hashtag Pages – Reels using certain hashtags can appear on that hashtag’s page.

So reels have the potential to reach a very wide audience across Instagram depending on how shareable and engaging the content is.

Creating Instagram Reels

Reels are created within the Instagram app camera. To make a new reel:

1. Open the Instagram app and swipe right to open the camera
2. At the bottom, select Reel to enter Reels camera mode
3. Record clips up to 60 seconds total by long pressing the record button
4. Add music, effects, timers/speed, drawings, stickers, etc
5. Trim and reorder clips as needed
6. Share reel to your story, close friends, or profile grid

Reels camera offers easy editing tools to spice up content without needing advanced video skills. Key features like audio, AR effects, text overlays make creating fun reels simple.

Users aiming to go viral can take advantage of trending audios, hashtags, effects that are gaining popularity to increase visibility. Studying what performs well can help craft reels that get more engagement.

What are Instagram Posts?

Instagram posts are the traditional photo and video sharing format that Instagram has had since launch. Each post can contain:

• A single photo
• A single video up to 60 seconds
• A multi-photo album of 2-10 images
• A photo or video with a caption

Standard posts appear in chronological order on a user’s profile grid and your followers’ feeds. Posts focus more on sharing life moments and everyday content vs purely entertainment.

Posts also have no limits on editing. You can edit visuals extensively in other apps before sharing. However, posts offer fewer quick editing tools compared to Reels.

Key Differences

While posts and reels can both contain video, there are some key differences between the formats:

• Length – Reels are limited to 60 seconds max. Posts can have videos up to 60 seconds as well as longer videos.
• Orientation – Reels are in vertical 9:16 aspect ratio for mobile. Posts can be horizontal or vertical.
• Editing – Reels have quick editing tools within Instagram. Posts can be edited extensively outside the app.
• Music – Reels use music clips from Instagram’s library. Posts can have any audio including original sounds.
• Purpose – Reels are entertaining, viral, trends. Posts showcase everyday life moments.

So in summary:

• Reels – Quick vertical videos with special effects and trending music. Made for entertainment.
• Posts – Horizontal/vertical photos and videos. Made for sharing life moments.

Reels vs Posts for Businesses

For businesses and creators, both Reels and posts can be effective for different goals:

Reels are great for:

• Viral marketing – Showcasing products/services in trending/funny ways
• Growing reach – Potential to be seen by many new users across Instagram
• Engagement – Entertaining content drives comments, likes, shares
• Brand awareness – Personality and humor attract attention

Posts work better for:

• Consistency – Followers expect regular feed updates
• Thought leadership – Sharing industry news, tips, insights
• User-generated content – Resharing customer posts
• Promotions – Post carousel ads, special offers
• Behind-the-scenes – Photos of products, office, team

A balanced Instagram strategy combines both formats to achieve a range of marketing and branding goals.

Best Practices

To effectively leverage both Reels and posts:

• Study trends and niche hashtags to make engaging Reels for your audience
• Use popular audios and effects, but give them your unique spin
• Preview Reels timing, transitions to ensure high quality
• Post Reels consistently 1-2x day to increase views
• Download and repost top-performing Reels to your profile
• Post photos daily showing real company culture and products
• Curate user-generated content and reshare with permission
• Utilize carousel posts and Stories for promotions
• Analyze metrics on Reels vs posts to inform strategy

Leveraging both Reels and posts maximizes reach, engagement, and conversions on Instagram.

Pros and Cons

To summarize some pros and cons of each format:

Instagram Reels

• Pros: Viral potential, entertainment, creative tools, trend integration
• Cons: Can be time-consuming to create, harder to build brand identity

Instagram Posts

• Pros: Show brand personality, promote products, consistent visibility
• Cons: Slower growth, less viral potential, limited editing tools

The ideal strategy is to leverage both formats synergistically based on your goals, audience, and resources.

The Future

Instagram is prioritizing Reels with its algorithms in hopes the format will continue to compete with TikTok. Reels will likely only grow in importance for brands and creators looking to expand their Instagram presence.

However, traditional photo and video posts are still essential for showcasing products, events, company culture, user-generated content, and more on Instagram. Posts and Reels will co-exist as key tools brands need for Instagram success.