In an exciting update, Instagram has revealed a fresh feature that allows its users to download and share Reels outside the application. This move comes as Instagram’s answer to its closest rival, TikTok, which has been offering this functionality for several years, thereby attracting a significant following by letting people watch TikTok videos outside the app. With this official update you don’t need any third party apps to download Instagram Reels.
How to download Instagram Reels officially
Adam Mosseri, the Head of Instagram, announced this fresh feature during an Instagram broadcast. This feature enables US based Instagram users to store the Reels they fancy into their device’s camera roll, which they can achieve by simply tapping on the share icon and selecting the Download option.
However, there’s a catch. Only the Reels from public accounts qualify for this downloading feature. Moreover, public accounts hold the power to disable the download feature for their Reels if they wish to. As of today, this update to download reels in not available to Indian users and its expected to available soon.
Reels With an Instagram Touch
As of yet, it is unclear if a watermark will adorn the downloaded Reels. Nevertheless, a snapshot shared by Mosseri hints that the downloaded Reels will feature an Instagram logo alongside the respective account’s username. TikTok implements a similar watermarking practice with their downloaded videos.
Instagram users have always had the privilege to download their own Reels sans any watermark from drafts. This strategic move from Instagram aims to promote in-platform content and dissuade cross-platform sharing, mirroring YouTube’s strategy of embedding a logo-based watermark on downloaded Shorts.
The Driving Force Behind Instagram’s Growth
Instagram’s Reels has been a central aspect in steering Meta’s growth and revenue over the past few quarters. As per Mark Zuckerberg during the Q1 2023 earnings call, Instagram’s user engagement soared by 24% due to AI-powered Reels recommendations.
With this new Reels download feature, Instagram users can share their favorite videos across different platforms, thus broadening the Reels’ reach. Until this update, the Reels from public accounts could only be shared in Stories or via chat. Yet now, with the ability to download and save Reels directly to their devices, users can share the content across different social media apps, offering more versatility and convenience.
The Future of Instagram Reels and Beyond
At present, the feature is only available to U.S. users, and there is no news about its release in other regions. Instagram is continually working to refine its user experience, with recent reports suggesting a potential AI-based chatbot feature in development. This feature would enable users to interact with AI agents capable of answering queries, offering advice, and composing messages.
Overall, this latest Instagram Reels download feature signifies a considerable leap in user experience, giving Instagram users the ability to share their favorite Reels across various platforms with ease. As the social media landscape continually evolves, Instagram’s new feature is set to keep the platform a step ahead in the race.
