Instagram revealed that it is adding a slew of new features. It is for both the Instagram Feed and its TikTok competitor, Reels, that will go live this week. Users will be able to collaborate, generate revenue, and make greater use of music on Reels, among other things. Thanks to the creator-focused improvements.
Desktop posting
The business will also improve the usability of its Instagram desktop website. It is by allowing users to publish photographs and videos under one minute in length using their desktop web browser.
According to the company, the latter has been a long-requested new feature. They will offer to global audiences on Thursday, October 21.
The feature had been tested by the firm earlier this summer, but it was not generally available.
“Collabs”
Instagram will be adding other new features throughout the week, beginning with “Collabs”.
This is a “test” function, according to Instagram, and it will allow people to co-author both Feed posts and Reels. Users can do so by inviting another account to collaborate from the Instagram tagging screen. Both accounts will appear in the post or the Reels header if the other person agrees. Then, the content will be shared with both sets of followers. Even though Instagram only announced the test today, many Instagram users have already noticed it in the app. The company began a small-scale global test of the feature in July.
Instagram claimed at the time that just a small number of individuals would have access to the function. It didn’t say when it would become more widely available.
According to Instagram, when two creators opt to collaborate, the post or Reel will display on both of their Profile Grids. Also, it will have a shared view count, like count, and comment thread.
Fundraiser option
Instagram will also begin testing a new way to create fundraisers for NGOs on Wednesday. A feature that allows you to start the fundraising immediately from the creation button. (The “+” plus button at the top right of the screen). Instead of picking Post, Story, Reels, or Live, you’ll notice an option to select a nonprofit. Then add the fundraising to your Feed post when you hit this option.
Instagram has long supported fundraisers, including last year’s addition of assistance for nonprofit fundraising during live streams. But it hadn’t previously provided a mechanism to start fundraising from a separate location on your Instagram profile.
Alessandro Paluzzi is a developer, and reverse engineer. He discovered the new fundraiser button under development back in September and identified it ahead of its rollout this week.
Superbeat and Dynamic Lyrics
Two more new features are intended to improve Instagram Reels when used with music.
On Thursday, Instagram will roll out two new effects called Superbeat and Dynamic Lyrics. It will aid creators who use music in their Reels edits and performances. According to Instagram, Superbeat will add clever special effects to music to the beat of the user’s song. Dynamic Phrases will display 3D lyrics that flow with the song’s “groove.”
These new features follow TikTok’s April release of a half-dozen interactive music effects, including many that add visual effects timed to a song’s tempo. Reels, on the other hand, has had a considerably smaller variety of first-party creative effects up until now, relying on its community to develop its library beyond the basics like a timer or speed adjustment tool.
The Reels capabilities will be available with desktop uploading. It will limit to images and videos under one minute in duration, according to Instagram. The business discontinued its IGTV brand for long-form video earlier this month. Although recordings up to 60 minutes are still allowed. The name is now “Instagram Video”. It encompasses anything that isn’t video in a Story or Reel.