Long gone are the times when people had the patience for three-hour movies. The digital revolution has stepped up the rapid pace of modern life, leading to a shift towards shorter, more easily digestible video content to fit our busy schedules.
Video is still one of the most popular online pastimes in 2024. On average, people watch videos for 17 hours a week. Using this medium to interact with social media followers and keep them coming back for more content is a terrific idea.
Find more statistics at Statista
With the help of its short-form video stream, Instagram swiftly gained traction. It also has the advantage of displaying alongside images. With so many choices for uploading and sharing videos—each with its own set of guidelines—the social media behemoth provides an excellent platform for connecting with and engaging with your audience.
This article covers everything you need to know about Instagram video length, including duration limitations, recommended practices, and other details.
Maximum Video Length for Instagram Video
Instagram, like other social media platforms, has changed its guidelines for video duration in accordance with user preferences. Instagram only allows you to boost videos that are less than 90 seconds long, even if you continue to upload long-form videos up to 60 minutes in most circumstances. Based on your marketing requirements, pick the kind and duration of the video you want.
1. Instagram In-Feed Video Length
An Instagram In-Feed video has similarities to a regular post, with the exception that a video is used in place of still images. You can effectively engage your current audience with these videos. Videos uploaded to your stories disappear after a day. However, In-Feed videos remain on your profile permanently. In-feed videos are accessible to everybody who visits your Instagram profile and explores your posts.
Evergreen content is a good fit for an In-Feed video. Post client testimonials, founder or employee interviews, or related content in this format. So, how long can Instagram videos be?
- Time limit: 3 seconds to 3600 seconds
- Video Size: Minimum 1080 x 1080 pixels
2. Instagram Story Video Length
These are temporary videos. The stories only appear on your profile for 24 hours unless you add them as highlights, which appear under your bio and let anyone see them anytime. The extensive feature set for In-Feed and Reels videos is not available for editing stories. However, stories do have more interactive components, such as polls and embedded links.
Use Instagram Stories for promotional campaigns with short lives and other stories that aim to inspire action because they disappear quickly. Post a survey or provide a link to your story if you’re attempting to gather customer data or direct people to a particular landing page.
- Time limit: Up to 60 seconds
- Video size: Minimum 1080 x 1080 pixels
3. Instagram Live Video Length
Go live on Instagram to engage with your followers in real-time. You put on your camera or your phone and go live with this type of video; it’s actually a live stream that turns into a video once it’s over, and viewers may engage with you through the comments section. This option is excellent for conducting interviews with clients or business partners because it allows you to invite other users into your live broadcast.
Using Instagram Live to host Q&A sessions, invite followers to the launch of a new product, or give them a behind-the-scenes look at your everyday business is an excellent idea. Compared to In-Feed videos, Reels, and Stories, live videos are more engaging and let you establish a more personal connection with your followers.
- Time limit: Up to 4 hours
- Video size: Minimum 1080 x 1080 pixels
4. Instagram Reel Length
Reels are short-form, quick videos made to be shared and watched instantly. Instagram’s Reels are a great way to expand your reach while building connections with new potential clients because the algorithm displays them to people based on their past behavior. Users prefer short-form reels that feel real, fun, or instructive.
Seize social media challenges or current hashtags that make sense for your brand to gain more followers. But how long can an Instagram reel be? Here’s the Instagram reel time limit and size:
- Duration: From 1 second to 90 seconds
- Minimum reel size: 1080 by 1080 pixels
5. Instagram Video Ad Length
Though they appear to non-followers, video advertising on your Instagram feed imitates native content. You can use a range of standards, such as location or interests, to target prospective customers when you make a video advertisement. To make your advertising appear authentic on Instagram, you also need to make sure you comply with the platform’s requirements for video ad placement.
Reels, Stories, and In-Feed videos can all be used to make ads. In order to notify users that they are seeing an advertisement instead of an organic post, they will add a “sponsored” tag. Ads on Instagram are a fantastic method to grow your following and raise brand awareness with consumers who, based on their online behavior, are likely to be interested in your product.
- Time limit: Up to 60 seconds
- Video size: Minimum 1080 x 1080 pixels
Instagram Video Length Hacks
If you truly want to upload an existing video, you can shorten it to fit the Instagram feed, but it must be longer than the maximum allowed length. Instagram has this feature built-in, so when you upload a video, you have the easy option to do this:
- You can end the process there if your edited video meets your needs. But you may make a carousel post if you want to include everything—length limitations be damned!
- You can share 10 images or videos in a single carousel post, which viewers can easily swipe through.
- If you wish to publish longer videos, you can divide them into smaller chunks and submit them as a carousel post.
Previously, Instagram Stories likewise worked in this manner. Users could upload four stories to extend their Instagram story to 60 seconds, even if each one was only 15 seconds long. But it appears that there is no end to it now!
Instagram Stories that last for a full 60 seconds before breaking up are now available for users to upload.
It’s unclear what the maximum duration of a 60-second Instagram story is because there don’t seem to be any official guidelines about when to post one. But as is typical on social media, shorter content always boosts interaction! Moreover, you can also use vertical video tips for social media.
How to Edit the Length of an Instagram Video?
The app already has advanced settings that can help you shorten the length of your videos.
- You can select a cover, add a filter, and cut your films as you post them. To do so, select the “trim” option at the bottom of your feed.
- After you’ve chosen “trim,” you can drag the endpoint at the start or finish of your video production to make it the length you want. You can use your finger to drag the endpoint when posting from a phone. To trim your video on a computer, use a mouse or a touch screen.
- Following the on-screen prompts, you can complete publishing the video after you’ve cut it. You’ll need to use a different approach to cut Stories since the trim tool isn’t accessible for them.
While this is among the quickest and simplest ways to shorten a video, you may not have as much flexibility as you’d get with other methods. Furthermore, you can also determine the ideal explainer video length by visiting this link.
Final thoughts
Instagram has made video marketing incredibly simple for all businesses and marketers with a wide range of options, including Feed, Live, Instagram stories, Reels, and Video advertisements. Consequently, every brand should place a high value on producing excellent video content. It’s essential that you know everything about Instagram videos.
Various video requirements are needed for different formats on Instagram. Once you are aware of your favorite video format, it is simpler to adhere to the specifications.
Using proficiency in creating visually captivating animations, you can efficiently draw in and hold the interest of viewers. Anideos specializes in producing top-notch, personalized animations that match your company’s aesthetics and target audience. These animations can help your material stand out from the competition by adding a creative touch and simplifying difficult concepts.
We can help you boost your social media marketing with our short animated explainer videos. Connect with us to enhance your social media presence.
