Written by Shaurya Tomer
Instagram may change its content strategy. The platform focused on short videos for years. Now, things could shift. Instagram may add long-form content. It may also add premium features.
Adam Mosseri heads the platform. He works for Meta. He recently discussed these changes. This is a big shift for Instagram.
Breaking From Tradition
Instagram was different from YouTube for years. It focused on Reels and photos instead. The platform connected friends. It helped people explore interests too.
However, competitors are changing things. Instagram needs to rethink its plan.
Competition Is Heating Up
Instagram faces pressure now. TikTok is one competitor. YouTube Shorts is another. Meanwhile, TikTok grew bigger. It allows 10-minute videos now. It started with only short clips.
Similarly, YouTube Shorts has an advantage. It connects to YouTube’s long videos. Both platforms change how people watch content. As a result, Instagram risks falling behind. Short clips alone won’t work anymore.
Mosseri talked to Semafor recently. He shared his thoughts openly. “We might need premium content,” he said. Furthermore, Instagram might need long videos. This is a big admission. Instagram avoided long content until now.
A Different Approach to Long-Form
Instagram won’t copy YouTube. Instead, it will do things differently. YouTube wants lengthy videos. These keep viewers watching longer.
However, Instagram users want variety. They switch content quickly. They don’t watch one thing forever. Therefore, long videos must fit Instagram’s style.
Longer videos should appear with Reels. They should blend into the feed. Users shouldn’t go to separate sections. In other words, it should feel natural.
Premium Content Changes the Game
Mosseri talked about premium content too. Instagram runs on ads right now. Creators earn from brand deals. They get platform bonuses. Users don’t pay for content directly.
Nevertheless, subscriptions could change everything. Creators would earn steady income. Moreover, they wouldn’t depend on ads alone. Other platforms tried premium options already. For example, Twitter has paid features. Snapchat has them too. Consequently, Instagram might join them.
Moving Beyond Smartphones
Instagram launched a Fire TV app recently. Users can watch Reels on TV now. The company tests bigger screens. This shows new thinking. Instagram looks beyond phones.
However, Mosseri sees bigger changes ahead. Smart glasses will replace phones soon. This could happen in ten years. In addition, people will use content differently. Audio might matter more than screens. Hands-free use might become normal.
“This creates big questions,” Mosseri said. After all, Instagram is a visual platform. It shows photos and videos. But smart glasses might focus on audio instead. Therefore, Instagram must adapt quickly.
Meta invests in Ray-Ban glasses already. Additionally, it builds metaverse tools. These prepare for a screen-free future. Still, one problem remains big. How does Instagram work without screens?
What Comes Next
Social media platforms must evolve constantly. They need to change to survive. Instagram grew by being different. It offered quick content. It made things snackable and fun.
Now, it may do the opposite. It might embrace long videos. It might add paid features too.
Furthermore, timing matters here. TikTok faces bans in some countries. Meanwhile, users use many platforms now. They split their time differently. As a result, Instagram has an opening. It can expand what it offers.
However, big questions remain unanswered. Can long videos work on Instagram? Will paid content attract users? Or will it push them away? After all, Instagram was always free. It was always accessible to everyone.
In conclusion, Instagram changes direction now. The company wants to compete everywhere. It won’t stay in one lane anymore. Ultimately, users will decide what happens. They choose whether to follow along. The next few years will show results. This strategy might work. Or it might fail.