Instagram’s newest video function, Instagram Reels, is strikingly much like TikTok, with customers having the ability to share and document movies set to music.
The similarities beg the query — is there a distinction between Instagram Reels and TikTok?
The reply is sure! From demographics and enhancing instruments to why some enterprise accounts don’t have entry to music on Instagram, we’re breaking down the highest 7 variations.
The Distinction Between Instagram Reels and TikTok:
Instagram Reels Vs TikTok: The Battle of the Video Apps
With the rising reputation of TikTok, Instagram launched Instagram Reels — a brand new approach for customers to document 15 to 30-second movies set to music.
Whereas this video function is a brand new realm for Instagram customers, it isn’t new to the social media house!
From comparable discover pages, video enhancing interfaces, and the general idea, it is smart why individuals are evaluating Reels to TikTok.
Each Instagram and TikTok do have their variations — which platform you select is determined by your viewers, model, and advertising and marketing targets.
When you’re trying to attain a Gen Z audience, TikTok could be the place to be. When you’re trying to buffer up your Instagram technique and develop your following, Instagram Reels is a superb place to begin.
On the lookout for extra data on Instagram Reels and TikTok? Try our full guides:
So, what’s the distinction between Instagram Reels and TikTok? Let’s get proper into it.
#1: Video Size
On TikTok, customers can document movies as much as 60 seconds, and on Instagram Reels, customers can document movies as much as 30 seconds.
Despite the fact that it’s solely a 30-second distinction, customers had been fast to level it out.
Relying on the content material you put up, the 30-second max on Instagram Reels might really feel quick. Whereas longer content material may go higher with TikTok’s timestamp, you possibly can nonetheless be artistic on Reels.
See how clear and acutely aware magnificence model @cocokind takes full benefit of Reels’ 30-second time stamp by providing skincare ideas and diving deep into well-liked skincare myths.
As Instagram Reels continues to be in its early phases, we predict they’ll roll out an extended video possibility sooner or later.
See how these 12 brands are creatively utilizing Instagram Reels (and already going viral doing so!).
#2: Music Choices for Enterprise Accounts
One of many foremost variations between the platforms is the music function. At the moment, on Instagram Reels, many enterprise profiles are unable to entry Instagram’s music function.
This implies when you’ve got a enterprise account and need to share a Reel with music, it’s a must to create your personal audio or movie and edit it exterior of Instagram.
Instagram has but to make any remark about enterprise accounts gaining access to the music function anytime quickly.
So, in the event you’re trying to make use of music to your movies, TikTok could be the standout selection.
On TikTok customers have entry to all of TikTok’s Sound library — which is a big deal on the platform the place sound issues.
Take for instance the pattern of making TikTok movies with Unique Sound that may then be utilized by different TikTok customers.
The pattern is enjoyable, participating, and a option to probably go viral!
Whereas Instagram customers may also create movies utilizing different folks’s audio, it isn’t as broadly used as on TikTok.
One other distinction? Whenever you save a TikTok to your digital camera roll, whether or not it’s your personal or another person’s, the video saves with the music and watermark included.
However on Instagram, while you save a Reel to your digital camera roll (you can not save different folks’s Reels, solely your personal), the video doesn’t save with music or a watermark.
Get unique early entry to visible planning and scheduling for TikTok on internet and cell.
#3: Video Modifying Instruments and Options
Whereas each the Reels and TikTok enhancing interfaces could look comparable, they’re fairly totally different from one another.
On TikTok, filters are tremendous well-liked — customers can select from plenty of results, templates, and filters.
On Instagram, the video results are extra restricted — customers can solely choose results from the Instagram Results library earlier than they movie every video clip.
Another enjoyable enhancing instruments on TikTok are the voice results and voiceover instruments. Whereas Instagram customers can document a voiceover on Instagram Reels, they will’t add any particular results to the audio.
One other main distinction between the platform’s video instruments is TikTok’s Duet, Response, and Stitch features.
These options are a enjoyable approach for manufacturers and companies to creatively work together and have interaction with customers of their group (and develop their attain even additional!).
At the moment, on Instagram Reels, there may be nothing just like the Duet or Sew function — customers can solely document their very own footage or add content material from their digital camera roll.
#4: Algorithm
TikTok’s algorithm was a query mark for some time till TikTok lastly allow us to in on the secret. The TikTok “For You” Web page (FYP) could be very custom-made to your pursuits, whereas the Instagram Reels Discover Web page is a melting pot of content material.
According to TikTok: “The system recommends content material by rating movies based mostly on a mixture of things — ranging from pursuits you specific as a brand new consumer and adjusting for belongings you point out you’re not taken with, too”.
These elements embody issues like:
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Consumer interactions: such because the movies you want or share, accounts you comply with, feedback you put up, and content material you create.
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Video data: this would possibly embody particulars like captions, sounds, and hashtags.
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Gadget and account settings: like your language desire, nation setting, and gadget sort.
And it doesn’t cease there.
Every of those elements is individually weighted by TikTok’s “For You” suggestion system, which means that every web page will likely be utterly distinctive to a consumer and their stage of curiosity.
As for the Instagram Reels algorithm, it’s not as clear reduce as TikTok’s simply but.
It’s unclear whether or not the content material you’re being served on the Instagram Reels Discover web page relies on location, curiosity, who you’re following, or what content material you’re interacting with.
Instagram Reels additionally has a “Featured” video function.
According to Instagram, “In case your Reel is featured in Discover, you’ll obtain a notification. Featured reels are a choice of public reels chosen by Instagram that can assist you uncover authentic content material we hope will entertain and encourage you.”
There’s no additional data on why or how Instagram selects the featured content material. However, in case your Reel does turn out to be featured, there’s a really excessive likelihood your video (and profile) might go viral!
Identical to on TikTok, it’s necessary to maintain constantly posting on Instagram Reels as a result of the extra you put up, the extra possible your content material will present up on the Discover Web page.
And, what’s totally different about going viral on Instagram Reels in comparison with TikTok? Whereas going viral on TikTok is a superb alternative, Instagram Reels is already related to your Instagram account.
When you’re utilizing Instagram for what you are promoting or model, you possible have an Instagram Store, story highlights, a feed filled with content material, and a lot extra. In case your Instagram Reel goes viral, you’re opening up your profile to hundreds of potential prospects.
And, whereas there are methods to get more Instagram followers from TikTok, utilizing Instagram Reels is an superior option to do it with out leaving the app.
#5: Paid Promoting and E-commerce
Whereas TikTok ads aren’t as well-liked for small companies as they’re on different platforms, they do supply paid promoting choices.
TikTok at present affords In-Feed Advertisements, Model Takeovers, TopView, Branded Hashtag Challenges, and Branded Results.
As of now, manufacturers and companies can’t roll out any paid advertisements on Instagram Reels, however they will work with creators and influencers to create branded content material.
Instagram not too long ago launched new branded content tags for Instagram Reels as a approach for Instagram to make sure creators clearly disclose once they’re creating branded content material, enhance transparency, and to make it simpler for creators and types to create, share, and amplify branded content material.
Whereas Instagram is shifting to the e-commerce space, TikTok isn’t too far behind! TikTok not too long ago introduced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Shopify, aimed to make it simpler for Shopify’s over 1 million retailers to achieve TikTok’s youthful viewers and drive gross sales.
Picture credit score: Shopify
Retailers who get entry to this system will have the ability to join their TikTok for Enterprise account with their Shopify account and promote merchandise on TikTok by way of in-feed shoppable video advertisements.
The perfect half? All the pieces is managed by way of Shopify’s dashboard, together with advert creation, concentrating on (gender, age, consumer habits, and video class), optimization, and monitoring.
This can be a large game-changer in the event you’re a model or enterprise that sells merchandise. Study extra in regards to the TikTok x Shopify partnership here.
#6: Demographics and Content material
It’s necessary to notice that whereas each platforms supply the identical sort of content material, the demographic on TikTok appears to skew younger than Instagram Reels.
And whilst you have the chance to be as artistic as you need on each platforms, TikTok is extra “anti-aesthetic”.
Manufacturers, companies, and influencers are extra selective on Reels and share extra on-brand and aesthetically pleasing content material.
That’s not essentially the case on TikTok — customers aren’t as involved about their feed trying a sure approach.
When you’re trying to attain a millennial viewers and share movies that align along with your Instagram aesthetic, you possibly can check out Instagram Reels.
And, in the event you’re trying to participate in viral traits and attain a youthful Gen Z viewers, you might even see extra success on TikTok.
Another choice is asking your viewers the place they’re spending their time — Instagram Reels or TikTok? You are able to do this through the use of Instagram Tales stickers.
#7: Analytics
When you have a TikTok Professional Account, you have got entry to all of TikTok’s analytics.
With TikTok’s built-in viewers and content material analytics, you possibly can goal the proper audiences and actually perceive what they’re taken with.
And, even higher? You’ll be able to really see when (and if) your video was trending and the place the precise site visitors sources got here from.
TikTok additionally exhibits you Sounds your followers listened to, which may help you determine what Sound to make use of subsequent.
At the moment, there aren’t any insights for Instagram Reels. Proper now, customers can solely see the variety of views, likes, and feedback.
And that’s it! The 7 foremost variations between Instagram Reels and TikTok.
When you’re nonetheless unsure which one to make use of, we advocate attempting each! It doesn’t damage to check your content material on each platforms and see which performs higher.
Share the identical video on every platform on the identical time and see what unfolds.
With TikTok Planning and Scheduling by Later, you possibly can visually plan your TikTok content material prematurely – together with all your different social content material! Get Early Entry at the moment!
