Social media Reels are short-form social media videos that can be up to 90 seconds long almost but it preferred to be as short as you can.

Users can record, edit, and clip videos and photos together, set them to music, and post to their feed.

Since their inception, Reels have been a great way for brands and creators to flex their creativity, and extend their reach.

“Since introducing Reels to our Social media channels, we’ve seen engagement grow by 280%.

What’s the Difference Between Instagram Reels and TikTok?

While Reels and TikTok videos are strikingly similar, there is a difference.

From demographics to editing tools, they serve different purposes.

On TikTok, filters are super popular — users can choose from a number of effects, templates, and filters.

While the video and special effects on Instagram Reels are more limited, they still have their own editing perks.

With Instagram Reels Templates, users can quickly copy clip timings of an existing Reel — saving tons of time and effort.

The TikTok “For You” Page (FYP) is also very customized to your interests, whereas Instagram is still fine-tuning its Explore page algorithm to be more personalized for users.

it’s also important to note that while both platforms offer the same type of content, the demographic on TikTok skews younger than Instagram (between ages 16-24).

In comparison, nearly half of Instagram’s audience falls within the 25-34 age range.

So, with that in mind, if you’re looking to reach a Gen Z audience, TikTok may be the place to be.

But if you’re looking to buffer up your Instagram strategy and grow your following, Instagram Reels is a great place to start.

Need help staying on top of trends?

Bookmark this: The Top Reels Trends to Try This Week.

Knowing how to "hack" the Reels algorithm can be a huge advantage for anyone looking to grow on Instagram.

Instagram prioritizes Reels based on what it believes a viewer will be most likely to interact with, and uses a set of signals to help rank content.

According to Instagram, brands and creators should create Reels that are entertaining, inspiring, or experimental and use creative tools like text, camera effects, or filters.

You should also avoid posting Instagram Reels that are low-resolution, too blurry, have already been on Instagram, contain borders, or are visibly recycled from another app.

These types of Reels will be deprioritized — meaning they’ll be less likely to appear across the app.

For an additional boost, we recommend using relevant keywords and hashtags to increase discoverability, and including on-screen captions to make your Instagram Reels more accessible.