How to Post Videos Longer Than 60 Seconds on Instagram: The Ultimate Guide

You may have noticed that Instagram’s video length limitation can sometimes be a bottleneck to your storytelling. The 60-second cap for feed posts and 15-second limit for Stories may not always suffice. But guess what? There are ways around these constraints that allow you to post longer videos. Whether you’re a business trying to delve deeper into a product’s features or an individual keen on sharing a complete narrative, this guide is for you.

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

• Use IGTV for videos longer than 60 seconds and up to 60 minutes.
• Break your video into 15-second segments for Instagram Stories using Stories editor.
• Post a carousel video on your main feed, allowing up to 10 minutes of content by using multiple 60-second videos.

Each of these methods will be explained in detail as we progress through this comprehensive guide.

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 stands as the most straightforward option for posting long videos on Instagram.

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 are generally short, but there’s a workaround to post long videos.

How to Segment Long Videos for Stories

Use Instagram’s built-in Stories editor to cut your video into 15-second segments automatically. Alternatively, use third-party apps like CutStory or StorySplit to break your videos into parts.

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.

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

Long videos have their own set of advantages, and Instagram provides various avenues to get around the traditional time limitations. From IGTV and Stories to Carousel posts, there are multiple ways to share your story without cutting corners. Now, armed with this detailed guide, go ahead and make the most of your Instagram video content.