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Decoding the Jargon

Reels

Also called Instagram Reels, reel

Social mediaTerm

Instagram's short vertical video format, with music, effects and editing tools built in. Reels can be shown to people who do not follow you, through the Reels tab and Explore.

Example

Meera films a short Reel showing one kurta styled three ways. It reaches 30,000 accounts, most of whom do not follow her.

How you'll hear it

“Let's cut the shoot into three Reels instead of one long video.”

Don't confuse it with

  • Stories: disappear after 24 hours and are seen mainly by followers.
  • Shorts: YouTube's short vertical video format.

In India: Instagram tested Reels in India in July 2020, shortly after the government blocked TikTok in the country.

Related terms

ShortsStoriesWatch timeAudience retentionHook rate

Want to use this at work? AI-led Social Media Excellence is aFactor's 16-week program for social media work.

Sources

  1. Instagram Reels: Create and share short videos, Instagram
  2. Record a reel on Instagram, Instagram Help Centre
  3. Instagram Ranking Explained, Instagram, 2023

Checked 1 October 2026. Examples use a fictional business; figures are illustrative.

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