Instagram’s Exciting New Update: Hosting Hour-Long Videos for Content Creators
All images via Instagram.
Today, Instagram, the social media giant, made a major announcement at a special event celebrating their achievement of reaching 1 billion users. They unveiled their latest update, a platform called “IGTV” that allows users to host long-form, vertical videos.
Introducing IGTV, a new app for watching long-form, vertical video from your favorite Instagram creators.
— Instagram (@instagram) June 20, 2018
IGTV is not only a standalone app, but also an addition to the existing Instagram layout. It enables users to upload videos up to an hour long, providing a new platform for content creators to share their original videos. This is a significant improvement from the current model, which limits videos to just 60 seconds.
One of the standout features of IGTV is its focus on full-screen, vertical videos, departing from the square videos of the past and YouTube’s horizontal format. Inspired by Snapchat’s success with vertical video channels, Instagram has adapted to the evolving mobile viewing experience.
The IGTV app emulates traditional television viewing, automatically playing videos as soon as you open the app. You can easily switch between “channels,” which are essentially streams from specific content creators. And don’t worry, Instagram’s discovery algorithms are still in place to help you explore new content.
You don’t have to search to start watching content from people you already follow on Instagram and others you might like based on your interests. You can swipe up to discover more — switch between “For You,” “Following,” “Popular” and “Continue Watching.” You can also like, comment and send videos to friends in Direct. —Instagram
This new platform opens up endless possibilities for creators looking to make their mark in the mobile landscape. Anyone can upload to IGTV, regardless of their follower count. This means that filmmakers can share their long-form content (as long as it fits the vertical format) with audiences worldwide. With the option to upload videos from their computers, creators can take their time perfecting their content using their favorite editing software.
I believe this app will pave the way for narrative vertical video, a trend that has already begun on platforms like Snapchat. It offers a fresh and immersive way to experience content. So grab your phone, head out, and start recording to be part of this exciting new platform from the very beginning!
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