Instagram, one of the biggest social media platforms in the world has unveiled a feature that is sure to please its user base. After years of requests, Instagram has finally answered the call by allowing users to download and share Reels posted by others outside of the app. This move is a clear response to TikTok doing the same (and successfully so since the TikTok watermark provides further marketing of the platform when content is shared across platforms).
Similar to downloaded videos from TikTok, Instagram Reels will also bear an icon or watermark
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, took to his Instagram broadcast channel on Tuesday to make the announcement. He revealed that users in the United States would now have the ability to download Reels directly to their camera roll with a simple tap on the share icon and selection of the Download option. This new feature grants users greater control over the content they create and enjoy on Instagram. It does raise a question, if companies can let users download videos onto their devices that easily, should that option be present across all platforms?
It’s important to note that the ability to download Reels is limited to content posted by public accounts. Furthermore, public accounts hold the power to disable the download option for their Reels if they prefer to maintain tighter control over their content distribution. While it remains unclear whether downloaded Reels will bear a watermark, Mosseri’s accompanying image hints at the inclusion of an Instagram logo alongside the account name. This follows a similar approach taken by TikTok in attaching a watermark to downloaded videos. It’s worth noting that Instagram has previously allowed users to download their own Reels from drafts without any watermark, so this would be a new change.
The introduction of Reels has already proved impactful for Instagram, as Mark Zuckerberg revealed during the Q1 2023 earnings call that time spent on the platform increased by an impressive 24%. It follows a similar format to that of TikTok, the viral video platform. Instagram’s decision to enable Reels downloads undoubtedly marks a significant milestone in the platform’s evolution.
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(Via)
