Back to all articles
Since its release over a decade ago, Instagram has been the go-to photo-sharing platform – but that is soon set to change. Recently, Instagram’s CEO Adam Mosseri announced that moving forward, Instagram will be focusing its efforts on promoting video content over photo content. This announcement has left a lot of users scratching their heads, wondering what this means for them. Here’s everything you need to know about the move to video content.
Why is Instagram making the switch?
In his announcement (which was released – you guessed it – as a video), Mosseri references TikTok, one of Instagram’s main competitors. Considering the popularity of Reels, which are uncannily similar to TikTok’s short videos, it’s not hard to see how Instagram has aligned itself with the video-sharing app. In the past, Instagram has been known to steal – sorry, borrow – features from other apps. Most famously, Instagram stories were introduced not long after Snapchat stories became popular.
It’s no surprise that in the wake of TikTok’s success, Instagram might be struggling to keep up. More and more, all social media platforms are seeing a shift in users’ interest toward video-based content rather than photo-based content. Although Instagram initially rose to prominence because of its photo sharing capabilities, prioritising videos over photos is simply a reflection of what today’s users are wanting to see more of.
What will this mean for your feed?
Over the coming months, Instagram’s algorithm is going to be studying your viewing habits and learning which content you consume the most. This is going to help the algorithm suggest content for you to watch, even from users you may not follow. You have probably already noticed that Reels are easy to access, with their very own newsfeed and navigation tab on the main toolbar at the bottom of your screen. Just like TikTok, Instagram is taking the reins – the app tells you what to watch, not the other way around.
If you’re a business owner or an influencer and you haven’t leaned into the video craze yet, it’s past time you got on board. A lot of businesses have reported that their engagement has dropped significantly when they fail to publish video content. Instagram is famous for rewarding its users for utilising the newest features, and videos are no exception. Likes, views and engagement tend to skyrocket when users post to Reels.
How do you get started with video content?
Love video content or hate it, it’s the direction we’re all headed in – adapt or die, as they say. But there’s no need to stress if you’re camera shy or don’t know how to get started creating videos. We’ve created a handy guide to help you overcome your fear and use the new algorithm to your advantage. Reels can be super quick and easy to create once you get the hang of them, and they are a surefire way to boost your engagement and potentially find new customers.
Ready to get started setting up a social media strategy? Reach out to our team at Zib Digital for a social media plan tailored to your business.
