Instagram Reels has been in the making for a couple of months now and is finally launched in the U.S. along with 50 other countries. Reels is Facebook’s attempt to enter the short video sharing game. TikTok has a massive social following but is currently under scrutiny in some countries including the U.S. with the current President pushing for its ban. Instagram Reels attempts to fill that void in the market by adding a short video sharing option to its already impressive Instagram app.
What is Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels is a new feature that Instagram has launched that will allow users to create short videos of themselves from right within the app. In some ways, Reels reflects the likeness of TikTok.
Instagram Reels will be incorporated into the Instagram app itself. It will enable users to create short 15 second videos of themselves. Like TikTok, the function will come with a host of customization options in the way of stickers, filters, music, and more. The introduction of Reels also resulted in a makeover of the social media app. Instagram has introduced a separate ‘Reels’ tab in your profile to display all your content.
Related: How to get famous on Instagram Reels
How to create your own Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels can be accessed from the camera page on the Instagram app. In addition to creating your own live Reel, you can upload a recorded video to use instead. You can also add a video from your gallery to your Reel, and then record the rest of your Reel!
Launch the Instagram app and swipe right to reach the camera page. Alternatively, you could tap on the story button in the top left corner.
In the panel below, select ‘Reels’. It should be to the right of ‘Story’.
Now hit the ‘Record’ button and showcase your talent! Go ahead and play around with the settings in the left panel to add effects, music, and more to your Instagram Reel.
Related: How to share Instagram Reels in Explore but not in feed and profile grid
Once you have recorded your Reel and are satisfied with it, you can easily post it to your profile. This is the same as posting an image or video. You can also send it out as a Direct Message (DM) to a person or even add it to your Instagram Story! Here is how you can go about doing that.
Related: What Happens When You Share Instagram Reels In Explore?
Once you have recorded your Reel, tap the arrow in the bottom right corner to advance to the share options. Here you can decide who you would like to share your Instagram Reel.
To send your Reel exclusively as a DM to select people, select the ‘Stories’ tab from the top panel.
Now select the people to whom you would like to send the Reel as a DM. You can use the search bar at the top to quickly find your friends on the list. Tap ‘Send’ next to the person’s name to send your Reel as a DM.
The same method above can also be used to share your Instagram Reel to your Story. This way everyone in your Friends list can enjoy your Reel! Alternatively, if you have a ‘Close Friends’ list set up, you can decide the audience for your Reel story.
Once you have recorded your Reel, tap the arrow in the bottom right corner to advance to the share options. To share your Reel to your Instagram Story, select the ‘Stories’ tab from the top panel.
Now tap ‘Share’ next to ‘Your Story’. Tap ‘Done’ at the bottom to complete the process.
The Reel will be added to your Instagram Story. You can view it by tapping the Story button in the top left corner of the app.
Related: How To Add A Reel To Your Profile Grid Instead Of Reels Tab
Well, there you have it. Now you know how to share your Instagram Reels as a DM or add it to your Story. If you have any queries, feel free to reach out to us in the comments below.
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I followed the exact same process…but sometimes, there is no option as ‘stories’ when we press the arrow. It directly goes to share on feed…why is that?
I have this problem too as of two weeks ago. It’s driving me nuts!
It seems Instagram has removed the function to be able to share personal reels with friends in DMs; I’m seeing that option nowhere.