Reels (Reel)
Short-form vertical videos on Instagram (9:16, up to 90 seconds).
Reels are Instagram's TikTok response and currently the highest-reach format on the platform. The algorithm pushes Reels to non-followers aggressively — a single Reel can reach 10-100x your follower count if it performs well in the first hour. The first 1-3 seconds decide everything: a strong visual hook + curiosity gap. Captions matter less than on feed posts. Optimal length is 7-15 seconds for viral potential; 30-60 seconds for educational content. Always use trending audio (the algorithm boosts trends).