Reels is a new feature on Instagram that allows people to create 15-second videos on la Vine and TikTok. But is Instagram Reels just a TikTok clone?
Easy to earn, short video clips are certainly not new on social media. TikTok is the latest platform to use it, and it has become incredibly popular. Now Instagram has jumped on the bandwagon with Reels. Let’s see how the two apps compare.
What are Instagram rules?
First and foremost, Reels is a tool for making videos. It’s a new mode where you can access it via the Instagram Stories camera. You can make a Reel from a single or series of clips, but it can only be a maximum of 15 seconds.
Instagram expects most Reels to include multiple clips, though. There is even a handy tool to bring a new clip in line with the previous one to make a seamless transition.
Like an Instagram Story, there are a number of editing tools available for Reels. You can add music, adjust playback speed and use Instagram’s existing library with augmented reality effects. Reels also has a hands-free timer and countdown for recording videos. After recording a clip, you can add stickers, text and doodles.
Sharing a reel is usually the same as sharing something else on Instagram. Accounts set up for the public can share Reels to a dedicated space in the ‘Explore’ tab. Private accounts can simply share the Reel to their feed. You can also share a Reel as your Instagram Story.
Once you create a Reel, a new “Reels” tab will appear on your profile, and it will also appear in your main profile grid.
Again, Reels can also be placed on the “Discover” public tab, allowing you to browse videos from accounts you may not be following. You can scroll and Like, Comment or Share the same as you would with any Instagram post.
You might think that Reels sounds a lot like Instagram Stories. While both creation tools function the same, they serve different purposes. Stories are meant to be more of a social feature allowing people to share short videos rather than photos, which are only visible for 24 hours. Rules are more about creation and entertainment.
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Are rules in TikTok clone?
Reels immediately got comparison with TikTok. After all, TikTok is a popular 15 to 60 second video platform. Is it fair to say that Reels is nothing more than a TikTok clone?
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Although the interfaces of the two tools are very different, it is true that the functionality is mostly the same. The majority of TikTok clips are under 15 seconds, but they can last up to 60 seconds.
There are a handful of editing tools available, including playback speed, beauty and photo filters, and augmented reality effects. After a clip is recorded, you can add text, sounds, stickers and further edit your clip.
As of this writing, however, TikTok has a wider selection of editing tools. For example, you can add voice-changing effects, or even a voice-over, to clips after they are recorded. TikTok also has a few templates for sharing photos in a creative way. TikTok is the more mature platform, and it feels like you are editing.
The biggest difference, however, is in the platforms themselves. Reels is just a feature in the Instagram app, not a stand-alone platform.
TikTok is a social media network designed exclusively for short video clips. When you open the app, you are immediately greeted with a scrolling feed of clips.
While the process of creating Reels and TikTok clips may be similar, people use the apps in very different ways. When you follow someone on Instagram, you see their regular feed posts, Stories and Reels.
If you follow one on TikTik, you will just see their video clips. Reels is just one of a growing list of Instagram features, while TikTok is its own thing.
Of course, Reels would not exist if TikTok was not popular. Just as Instagram Stories was inspired by Snapchat Stories, Reels was inspired by TikTok. However, deciding which one for you is more about what each platform offers and the content you prefer.
