Meta Expands Instagram and Facebook Reel Creation Options
As it continues to embrace the short-form video trend, Meta is introducing new options for users to remix material into Instagram Reels, as well as the ability to build Reels from existing films within Creator Studio.
More on ‘Remix for Photos’… pic.twitter.com/lGpfEn0SBc
— Lindsey Gamble (@LindseyGamble_) June 15, 2022
More screenshots of Facebook Creator Studio’s new Reels clip creation features
h/t @MariSmith pic.twitter.com/LPrIoA0pkf
— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) June 15, 2022
To begin, some Instagram users are now being advised about a new ‘Remix for photographs’ option when publishing static images in the app, as illustrated in this example uploaded by Lindsey Gamble.
According to Instagram, Remix for Photos allows users to build Reels based on your feed post material, which they can then download and use in their own clips. That means others can re-use your work as they like – but you can disable the option in your settings if you don’t want that to happen.
In practice, it looks like this:
It’s another method to respond to material in the app, which has been a popular TikTok use case, with the platform’s participatory nature effectively expanding on meme trends by allowing users to contribute their own interpretations, rather than merely consuming the latest content.
Instagram now allows users to remix any video they encounter in the app, offering additional inspiration for Reels material — and with Reels now accounting for 20% of all time spent in the app, it makes sense for Instagram to capitalize on the trend by expanding Reels interaction possibilities.
In terms of brand utilization, this may be especially useful for seeking opinions on new products or brand announcements, with customers able to respond quickly via Reels clips. This might lead to some brand announcements being blasted in the same way, but engaging your audience to connect with your postings could be a fantastic approach to increase reach and engagement.
Meta has also included the ability to build Reels in Creator Studio by remixing existing videos into shorter pieces.
As seen in this example, provided by Facebook marketing specialist Mari Smith (and reposted by Matt Navarra), Meta is informing Creator Studio users about a new technique for trimming old videos into Reels clips.
The technique walks you through the editing process to generate Reels and Stories segments from your existing video uploads.
It’s another method for Meta to assist businesses and artists blend into Reels content – which corresponds with larger consumption patterns – while also providing Meta with even more Reels content to offer people as it seeks new ways to double down on the short-form video trend.
Considering short-form video has become such a transformative trend in the social media landscape, Meta has released a new strategic overview outlining how it aims to make Reels even more of a focus on Facebook.
As per Facebook app chief Tom Alison:
“Today’s genre of public short-form video opens up new ways for people to create and discover content. While Facebook’s discovery engine is designed to support many different formats (text, photos, video, and eventually Metaverse experiences), our biggest gap today is around short-form video, and we’re focused on integrating Reels in Home, Watch, In-Feed Recommendations, and Groups.”
So more Reels, in more places – because Facebook, fundamentally, is afraid that if it does not adapt to changing consumer habits, it will fast lose relevance and user engagement.
Which is already taking place…
According to several estimates, individuals are now spending more time on TikTok than on the Facebook app, while the short-form, quick scroll clips on TikTok are really modifying user attention spans and changing how people consume material.
In this regard, Facebook already feels pretty outdated, which is why it is now striving to catch up to TikTok by presenting more Reels, more frequently, and in more locations inside the app.
These new improvements are consistent with the wider trend and will assist users in following suit.
Of course, Meta may reverse its mind at some point and cease emphasizing Reels, as it has in the past with other video material. However, the regular nature of short-form videos feels more lasting in influencing how people engage.
It’s obviously worth more brands experimenting with Reels, and these enhancements give greater capability on that front.
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