Instagram, one of the largest social media platforms in the world, has launched a feature that is sure to delight its user base.
After years of requests, Instagram has finally answered the call by allowing users to download and share Reels posted by others outside of the app.
This move is a clear response to TikTok doing the same (and succeeding as TikTok watermarks provide further marketing for the platform when content is shared across platforms).
Similar to videos downloaded from TikTok, Instagram Reels will also have an icon or watermark.
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, took to his Instagram Stories on Tuesday to make the announcement.
He revealed that users in the United States will now have the ability to download Reels directly to their camera roll with a simple tap on the share icon and selecting the Download option.
This new feature gives users greater control over the content they create and enjoy on Instagram. It raises the question, if the company can allow users to easily download videos to their devices, should that option be available on all platforms?
It is important to note that the ability to download Reels is limited to content posted by public accounts.
Additionally, public accounts have the power to disable the download option for their Reels if they prefer to maintain tighter control over the distribution of their content.
Although it is still unclear whether downloaded Reels will have a watermark, the image accompanying Mosseri’s announcement suggests the inclusion of the Instagram logo alongside the account name.
This follows a similar approach taken by TikTok in attaching watermarks to downloaded videos. It should be noted that Instagram previously allowed users to download their own Reels from drafts without any watermark, so this will be a new change.
The introduction of Reels has proven to have an impact on Instagram, as revealed by Mark Zuckerberg during the Q1 2023 earnings call that time spent on the platform has increased by an impressive 24%.
This follows a format similar to TikTok, the viral video platform. Instagram’s decision to enable Reels downloads undoubtedly marks a significant milestone in the platform’s evolution.
