Instagram is establishing new guidelines, updating its algorithm to not promote Reels with third party logos, such as that of TikTok, on them.
This announcement, coming via a post on the Instagram Creators account, is honestly the smart move to make. Reels, the social media platform's short-form video making feature, has enough stiff competition already in the form of TikTok. With such giants looming large, recycled content will only serve to further hurt the new endeavor, which is still in its infancy and has yet to develop a proper identity or connection with the wider marketplace. With users still trying to figure out what sort of impression they want to make with Reels as opposed to another app, recycled content will only cheapen the impact.
Cheapening is the last thing a concept such as Reels needs on its plate. Other competition to TikTok from the likes of Snapchat's Spotlight is coming along fast (Snapchat also has a steadier claim to short-form fame since Stories, a similar style of content, form the app's foundation). Summiting a steep hill is difficult enough without rushing manners due to more experienced climbers joining the game.
There also remains the rather prevalent presence of Instagram's own head, Adam Mosseri, who actively went on record to state that he personally finds Insta Reels to be inferior to TikTok, which is famously regarded as a Gen Z darling. With such sobering words straight from the horse's mouth, a sense of identity distinct from the surrounding play field is what Reels direlt needs, if it is to be successful.
This wasn't all that was discussed in the announcement, however. While the algorithm's pushing down watermarks is certainly a highlight, many other interesting details and hot tips for creators were covered as well. Other than the basic, vanilla remarks (be inspiring, witty, etc.) the post encourages users to film in vertical as opposed to horizontal, be experimental, and heavily rely on tools as well as Instagram's own music library.
The algorithm also pushes down posts that are of the low-quality pixelated variety, and feature borders or text covering major parts of the video. Which honestly feels like a breather, since Instagram's parent company Facebook has seen more than enough text-bordered rehashes of original content. Well, here's to hoping Instagram's pet project, which has yet to be released in all supported regions, makes its mark across both history and current pop-culture.
Read next: Instagram Adds New Animation Feature To Text In Stories
This announcement, coming via a post on the Instagram Creators account, is honestly the smart move to make. Reels, the social media platform's short-form video making feature, has enough stiff competition already in the form of TikTok. With such giants looming large, recycled content will only serve to further hurt the new endeavor, which is still in its infancy and has yet to develop a proper identity or connection with the wider marketplace. With users still trying to figure out what sort of impression they want to make with Reels as opposed to another app, recycled content will only cheapen the impact.
Cheapening is the last thing a concept such as Reels needs on its plate. Other competition to TikTok from the likes of Snapchat's Spotlight is coming along fast (Snapchat also has a steadier claim to short-form fame since Stories, a similar style of content, form the app's foundation). Summiting a steep hill is difficult enough without rushing manners due to more experienced climbers joining the game.
There also remains the rather prevalent presence of Instagram's own head, Adam Mosseri, who actively went on record to state that he personally finds Insta Reels to be inferior to TikTok, which is famously regarded as a Gen Z darling. With such sobering words straight from the horse's mouth, a sense of identity distinct from the surrounding play field is what Reels direlt needs, if it is to be successful.
This wasn't all that was discussed in the announcement, however. While the algorithm's pushing down watermarks is certainly a highlight, many other interesting details and hot tips for creators were covered as well. Other than the basic, vanilla remarks (be inspiring, witty, etc.) the post encourages users to film in vertical as opposed to horizontal, be experimental, and heavily rely on tools as well as Instagram's own music library.
The algorithm also pushes down posts that are of the low-quality pixelated variety, and feature borders or text covering major parts of the video. Which honestly feels like a breather, since Instagram's parent company Facebook has seen more than enough text-bordered rehashes of original content. Well, here's to hoping Instagram's pet project, which has yet to be released in all supported regions, makes its mark across both history and current pop-culture.
Read next: Instagram Adds New Animation Feature To Text In Stories
