Instagram expands reels duration to 3 minutes and revamps profile grids

Instagram has rolled out a significant update, extending the length of Reels to three minutes, a feature that brings it in line with YouTube Shorts. Previously, Reels were capped at 90 seconds, but now users can upload videos up to three minutes long, offering more time to create and share engaging content.

Instagram's head, Adam Mosseri, shared this change through a Reel on Saturday, confirming the update. This expansion follows YouTube Shorts' recent shift to allow three-minute videos, and coincides with heightened anticipation surrounding a potential TikTok ban in the United States. However, Instagram still lags behind TikTok, which allows videos up to 60 minutes in length.

In addition to the Reels update, Instagram is also replacing square profile grids with rectangular ones, aiming for a more modern and visually appealing look. Furthermore, users will now be able to see the Reels that their friends have liked, enhancing social interaction on the platform.

This update underscores Instagram's efforts to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving social media landscape, while enhancing the user experience with more dynamic features.