Big Plan For Instagram Reels LEAKED!

Instagram Reels is big! Hence, it comes across as no surprise that Meta wants to tinker it slightly to bring more attention to its TikTok rival.

Ever since Bytedance’s TikTok faced bans in many countries owing to its data privacy policy and links to China, Meta’s last-minute short video platform rose to incredible fame. Housed within the Instagram app, it has transformed the platform itself, converting it from a mere photo-sharing app to a short video-centric platform that also lets you share photos. While this has turned out good for Meta’s social media business, Insta purists have always wanted to app to be its former self – simple. 

It seems that Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri has heard the cries of these ‘purists’ and might be overseeing a change. Reels will be getting its own sweet home instead of being assigned a room in the Instagram mansion!

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Instagram Reels to get its own app?

Apparently, yeah!

Based on a report from The Information, Instagram is working behind the scenes to spin off Reels into a standalone app – just like TikTok. Adam Mosseri has apparently been in discussions with his staff about the mysterious Reels app. Called Project-Ray internally, this standalone Reels app aims to improve recommendations for new and existing users in the US. The app is also said to promote more three-minute videos instead of shorter ones. 

A dedicated Reels app will allow Meta to push the platform as a strong rival to TikTok and encourage more users to jump ship ahead of TikTok’s rumoured ban in the US. Think of this more as Meta trying to capitalise on TikTok’s woes. 

But what remains to be seen is whether existing people on Reels will welcome this change. One of the major advantages of Reels is its integration with Instagram, thus presenting an all-round photo and video-centric social media experience. With Reels pushed out as a new app, how will Meta encourage existing users to download and refer to a new app every time someone wants to see short videos?

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On the positive side, relegating Reels to a separate app makes Instagram less cluttered. The platform may still allow short videos to be shared along with photos and Stories, but not as a Reel. Think of it as the old Instagram prior to 2020. 

If you are fretting, we suggest keeping calm. Instagram has always practised the idea of creating new apps for some of its services and eventually reverting to the older way. Does anybody remember the old Threads app by Instagram? The one that tried to challenge Snapchat by separating DM and Stories into a new app? The one that eventually was shelved after the DM and Stories feature went back to the main app?

Currently, Instagram’s total focus is on Edits – a brand new Reels editing app to take on the likes of CapCut. Edits will be available from March in select countries. 

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