Instagram Updates : New Features, Reels, Editing tools and more; Click to know more

Instagram followers can experience a new set of editing features for the stories, reels, feed photos, etc. Scroll down to read more about the new features. 

#1: Instagram Reels

Enhanced Tools for Creating and Editing Reels

Instagram has introduced a range of new editing features for Reels, including undo/redo, crop, scale, rotate, zoom, and the option to preview and rename drafts, making video creation more efficient and straightforward. Additionally, people can now easily access trending audio and create memes by incorporating audio clips from Instagram’s new media clip hub. With ten new text-to-speech voices and six new fonts, styles, and text outlines, there are now more options for customizing text.

Instagram’s Segmentation AI model now enables users to transform specific sections of their photos into personalized stickers for Stories and Reels. Additionally, creators can experiment with 25 fresh photo filters to achieve diverse aesthetics and emotions for their posts and carousels.

Instagram Reels now allows users to incorporate song lyrics into their videos, much like the lyrics feature in Stories. By selecting the lyrics option, users can display the words on screen and even customize the font, highlight certain sections, and add text overlays to make the lyrics more visually appealing. This new feature adds a creative and engaging element to Reels that users can take advantage of.

Instagram Reels Close Friend Sharing

Instagram’s latest feature now enables users to restrict their posts and Reels to their close friends list, which is indicated by a green star icon. This feature offers greater control over the audience reach as opposed to sharing with all followers. To limit a post or Reel to close friends, simply select the Audience option that appears before sharing the post. Then, click on Close Friends > Done, and share your post as usual.

Instagram has made an announcement regarding the availability of its Sharing to Reels integration for all developers. This integration allows apps to incorporate a Reels button, enabling users to effortlessly share short-form videos directly to Instagram Reels with a single tap. Once shared as Reels, users have the option to personalize their videos using Instagram’s editing tools, including audio, stickers, effects, and more.

Enhanced Reels Insights

Instagram is enhancing its metrics and analytics to provide creators with a deeper understanding of Reels performance. The introduction of a Replays metric allows for tracking the frequency of Reels being rewatched, while a new interactive retention chart displays the number of viewers who watch a Reel’s complete duration in a moment-by-moment breakdown.

It is commendable that Instagram has included additional metrics, however, we urge them to reconsider their definition of a view. A mere one-millisecond duration renders this metric almost insignificant. We require metrics that are transparent and accurately reflect engagement. In the meantime, marketers should concentrate on more informative metrics such as audience retention, average watch time, and shares. These metrics provide genuine insights into content that resonates with the audience. A viewer who watches your entire 90-second Reel demonstrates a greater level of interest than a single millisecond view.

#2: Instagram Stories

Share Comments to Stories

Instagram has recently added a feature that allows users to share comments on Stories. By swiping across a comment, users can now choose to share it as a sticker in their Story.

#3: Ad-Free Instagram Subscriptions

Meta has recently introduced a subscription service on Instagram that allows users from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland to enjoy an ad-free experience. This move not only complies with regulatory requirements but also provides users with more choices. The free version of Instagram will remain unchanged, and users will still have access to ad controls such as Ad Preferences. This means that advertisers can continue running personalized ad campaigns to target these individuals. Additionally, Meta is committed to developing tools that maintain the value of ads while giving users more control over their overall experience. Initially, the no-ads subscription is available for users aged 18 and above, but Meta is also exploring suitable ad experiences for teenagers as regulations progress.

#4  Instagram Ads Enhancements

Instagram has recently introduced new features for Reminder ads, enabling brands to generate excitement for their product launches and events. In addition to appearing in the feed, these ads now have enhanced visibility in Instagram Stories. Moreover, businesses can now conveniently create Reminder ads directly in Ads Manager, rather than relying solely on organic posts. These upgraded functionalities are being rolled out worldwide, making it simpler for brands to establish and disseminate timely reminders to a broader audience.

 #5: Instagram Shopping

Instagram Shopping has introduced a new feature called Product Tags, which allows advertisers to effortlessly create and promote feed posts, carousels, and videos using the Instagram Marketing API.

 #6 Instagram Guides

Instagram has officially confirmed a modification to its Guides feature, which was initially discovered by App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi. The Guides feature will now be phased out, and all current Guides will be transformed into private saved collections. Users can conveniently access their saved collections by navigating to the ‘Saved’ section in the profiles settings tab.

 #7 Acknowledged Instagram Experiments

DM Read Receipts: Instagram is providing the option for certain users to disable Read Receipts in direct messages. Instagram Carousel Posts: Instagram is currently experimenting with allowing followers to contribute to carousel posts. Meta Verified Feed on Instagram: Meta is conducting tests on a feed that exclusively displays posts from individuals who have subscribed to Meta Verified.