How to Post a Long Video on Instagram in 2024: The Ultimate Guide

In 2024, Instagram continues to evolve as a dynamic platform for sharing videos. The traditional 60-second cap for feed posts and 15-second limit for Stories have been expanded, opening new avenues for creative storytelling. This guide will walk you through these exciting changes and how to leverage them for your content.

How to Post a Long Video on Instagram (Quick Answer):

Instagram now supports feed video posts up to 60 minutes long, a significant leap from the previous 60-second limit. For longer videos, a preview will be shown in your feed, with the option for viewers to watch the full video on your profile.

The Importance of Video Content on Instagram

Before diving into the nitty-gritty, let’s discuss why long-form video content is significant on Instagram.

Why Long-Form Videos?

Long-form videos enable you to deliver more comprehensive and richer content. This can be incredibly valuable for things like tutorials, interviews, or in-depth product reviews.

Advantages of Long-form Content

• Enhanced storytelling
• Higher engagement
• Improved information retention

The Ultimate Guide to Using IGTV for Long Videos

IGTV in 2024 continues to be the go-to for long-form content, accommodating videos from 3 seconds to 10 minutes, and up to 60 minutes for selected accounts. Remember to keep your videos within the ideal aspect ratio of 9:16 for the best viewing experience.

Setting Up Your IGTV Channel

Before posting, you’ll need to set up your IGTV channel. It’s a simple process:

1. Go to your Instagram home screen and click on the IGTV icon.
2. Click on the “Create Channel” button and follow the on-screen instructions.

Uploading Videos to IGTV

Uploading videos to IGTV is quite similar to uploading regular posts. Open the IGTV tab, hit the ‘+’ button, and choose your video. Remember, your video should be longer than one minute and can extend up to 60 minutes.

IGTV Video Requirements:

• Minimum length: 1 minute
• Maximum length: 60 minutes
• File format: MP4
• Aspect ratio: 9:16 or 16:9

Best Practices for IGTV

• Create compelling titles and descriptions with targeted keywords.
• Use relevant hashtags for better visibility.
• Engage with your audience by replying to comments.

Posting Long Videos as Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories have been reimagined in 2024, now supporting individual clips up to 60 seconds. This enhancement eliminates the need to split longer stories into multiple segments, making story uploads more seamless.

Enhancing Stories with Stickers and Text

Don’t forget to use the creative tools Instagram offers. Adding stickers, text, or filters can make each segment more engaging.

Stories Tips for Better Engagement

1. Tease the story content in the first few segments to retain viewer interest.
2. Use polls or questions to interact with your audience.
3. Add a ‘Swipe Up’ link if you have the option.

Carousel Videos: The Underused Gem

The carousel feature allows you to post multiple videos in a single post, each up to 60 seconds long.

How to Create Carousel Video Posts:

• Tap the “+” icon to create a new post.
• Select the “Carousel” option.
• Add up to 10 videos.

Benefits of Using Carousel Videos

• Keeps your feed clean by consolidating content into one post.
• Encourages more interaction as users swipe through.
• Allows you to tell a more comprehensive story.

Instagram Reel Length

Reels, Instagram’s answer to short, engaging video content, can now be up to 90 seconds long. This extension caters to the platform’s growing focus on dynamic and creative video sharing.

Instagram Live Video Length

Instagram Live now lets you stream for up to 4 hours, offering more flexibility for live events, Q&A sessions, and interactive content. Saved live videos can now be replayed for 30 days.

FAQ Section

Can I Post Videos Longer Than 60 Minutes?

As of my last update, Instagram doesn’t support videos longer than 60 minutes. For anything longer, you might have to look for other platforms like YouTube.

Do Longer Videos Affect Engagement?

Longer videos can either improve or hinder engagement, depending on the quality and relevance of the content.

How Can I Make My Long Videos More Engaging?

Focus on good storytelling, high-quality visuals, and pacing. Use captions or subtitles to make the content accessible.

Wrapping Up

Instagram’s expanded video length limits offer more creative freedom than ever before. From extended Stories to hour-long feed videos, these updates open up exciting possibilities for content creators and businesses alike to tell richer, more engaging stories.