October 28, 2026, 4:44 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Instagram could soon evolve significantly into a platform for long videos. The network is testing a format called “Features” for videos up to 90 minutes long. This would allow not only short clips but also complete interviews or comedy shows. Instagram is thus moving closer to an offering that has so far been primarily associated with YouTube.
Instagram Tests Long Videos Initially in the U.S.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri and product chief Tessa Lyons presented “Features” on October 26, 2026, in a roughly six-minute video on Instagram. As reported by the technology portal “9to5Google,” this post was only visible to users in the U.S.
Previously, Instagram had already tested the new format in Brazil. Now, selected video creators in the U.S. are to gain access to it first. The number of participants is expected to grow to tens of thousands. It is not yet known if and when Instagram will offer the long videos in Germany.
Established Reels continue to play an important role. They are intended to draw users’ attention to longer content. For example, if a short excerpt from a podcast appears in a Reel, a link could lead directly to the full episode. Users do not have to leave Instagram to view it.
The new long videos will also be displayed in the Explore section, where Instagram recommends additional content. Short Reels could serve as an entry point, while longer posts are then directly accessible within the platform.
Why Reels Remain Important
The new direction is noteworthy because Instagram head Adam Mosseri has previously been critical of longer videos. His concern: If users watch a complete show, they have fewer opportunities to share other posts with friends during that time.
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Therefore, Reels are to remain an important part of Instagram despite the longer formats. The short clips will not disappear in favor of the new videos. Instead, both formats are to be linked together.
Instagram is also considering “Features” not just for use on the smartphone. The long videos appear in a wide landscape format, making them suitable for the television as well. This fits with the TV app for Reels, which Instagram launched in December 2025 initially on Fire TV devices in the U.S. The app is now also available for Samsung TVs there. With the longer shows, this offering is to be expanded.