Instagram Explores Long-Form Video Content

Popular social media platform Instagram is looking into the possibility of long-form videos, as stated by the platform’s head, Adam Mosseri. The company was recently seen testing the Instagram TV app on Amazon Fire TV, which currently features Reels for larger screens. However, the platform is currently missing long-form content tailored for large-screen experiences, a gap that YouTube fills seamlessly. Now, Instagram may delve into premium or longer-format content specifically aimed at big-screen viewers.

Focus on Short-Form Content

Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, shared with Semafor that the platform is presently concentrating on short-form content while avoiding the longer videos that rival YouTube offers. Nonetheless, he suggested that the platform might soon start testing long-form videos. Mosseri remarked that there may be a need for premium content, and if so, it would prompt the company to consider what embracing long-form video could mean for them, as they have consciously chosen not to enter that market thus far.

New Revenue Opportunities and Subscription Models

The discussion also touched on plans for subscription models that could create new revenue streams for the platform. Instagram already empowers creators to offer premium content to their followers via a monthly subscription fee.

Previous Long-Form Content Endeavours

Instagram first launched IGTV for long-form content in 2018 but had to retire it in 2022 due to the rapid rise in popularity of Reels. Now, as the company branches out into new ecosystems like TV and expands beyond smartphones, it may reconsider the testing of long-form content. Mosseri further emphasized the company’s commitment to experimentation, stating that the team is prepared to learn from the process. He commented that there will be many lessons learned and acknowledged that some approaches might not succeed as planned, but they intend to iterate quickly.