In a fortunate twist of fate, Instagram has just revealed the launch of two new features for Reels in the US starting today. Here are the specifics.
TikTok’s availability in the US will officially end this weekend, and one of the platforms that stands to gain from this ban is Instagram.
As potential new users flock to different platforms, Instagram is introducing two enhancements to Reels, which serve as its answer to TikTok’s short-form video format.
Initially available in the US and set to expand globally, Reels will now feature the following, according to communications from Instagram:
- Discover your friends’ preferences. We’re simplifying how you can see and interact with the content your friends are enjoying (or commenting on) within the Reels tab, located at the top right corner.
- Engage in conversations: A reply bar will now be visible, allowing you to easily start discussions about the content you like, hence increasing the chances for your reels to reach users who may not follow you yet.
As shown in the image above, Instagram will display the activities of your friends and followers on a specific reel while you view it, making it easier to see what they are engaged with.
You can enhance this experience by responding to your friends’ interactions. If a friend likes a reel, you can reply to their reaction, thereby enriching your social engagement opportunities.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see more additions to Reels in the near future if TikTok’s US ban indeed takes place. From a business perspective, this represents a rare opportunity for Meta that is unlikely to arise again soon.
What are your thoughts on the new Reels features? Which apps do you intend to use more following the TikTok ban? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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