IGTV vs Reels: Comparative View for both Instagram Features

Since Instagram is launched it has not only provided a medium for content promotion but rather a place to express and share views. Be it for fun-loving teens who want to showcase their talent, hard-working millennial who wants to stay connected to the world, bloggers who wish to bring revolution, vloggers who want to teach their skills or serious marketers who want to grab the attention of their target audience. Instagram has a perfect feature for everyone.

According to social media demographics, Instagram is the fastest growing social media application after Facebook. From a picture-sharing platform to video sharing and editing apps to becoming the chosen marketing tool, it has evolved to be the best. Instagram has been giving strict competition to its competitors by launching a hot popping new feature every year. Instagram’s IGTV has somewhat similar features as YouTube and the newly released Reels can give tough competition to the popular TikTok. But, can there two be compared?

In this blog, I’m going to tell you the similarities, differences, or the reason you should choose reels or IGTV!

IGTV VS REELS

What is IGTV?

All social media apps are always following and creating a new trend for content sharing. After Instagram stories. In 2018, Instagram launched a new feature under the name of IGTV or Instagram TV which was considered to be a competition for YouTube. It was a much-needed feature, as before this update, the user could only upload 60-second feed videos.

The idea for this App was to create videos from smartphones and upload them in portrait-mode for phone users which is ideally the best format to watch videos on gadgets. This smart UI suggests the kind of content you like, videos from the accounts you follow, and to search for the content you want to see.

This Ideology behind IGTV was to provide an enhanced watching experience for the users that is why it supports well-planned and executed videos rather than uploading videos captured then and there.

What is Instagram Reels?

In 2020, when the whole world was dealing with the global pandemic and economic crises, Instagram made a smart move and launched the most appealing and significant feature of all times. During the pandemic, when people were locked in their homes, this feature became a source of entertainment in their lives.

This was a well-planned move because Instagram saw the increasing popularity of TikTok all over the world. People who wanted to showcase their acting talent started following this trend of making small imitating videos. Just before the president of the USA and India started talking about banning the App, Instagram launched the rival names as Instagram Reels.

The concept of this feature was similar to that of TikTok. It provides video making and editing options in which you can choose a popular song for background, filters, and the 15 second part of the song you want to lip-sync or dialogue you want to act on.

The Launch of the Feature: IGTV Vs. Reels

Both IGTV and Reels were launched to attract users to Instagram, with the goal of making Instagram the best video entertainment and marketing apps. However, IGTV and Reels were competing against different applications.

Why did Instagram Launch IGTV?

Instagram was gradually becoming popular as more and more users were joining the platform, and marketers who wanted to promote their product could see Instagram’s potential as a growing social-media marketing platform. But, the most effective and result-inducing way of marketing was video promotion. And Instagram’s UI only supported small 1-minute timeline videos.

Vloggers and bloggers used to post stories and post with YouTube-link of their vlogs and blogs, leading the traffic to YouTube or Facebook rather than Instagram.

Then, after detailed research, Instagram launched the bolt iconed feature of IGTV, which instantly provided ease of posting long product marketing, video logs, and how-to videos.

Why did Instagram Launch Reels?

Instagram launched Reels on 5th august 2020. According to statistics, this was the best time to launch a new feature as the use of social media applications was at its peak. Instagram wanted to beat the trend of TikTok while providing something new and better. It was a better idea as IGTV lacked in getting the kind of attention that was expected by the makers.

The launch first took place in Brazil in November 2019, But It did not get the kind of response that was expected of it. Then, it was finally launched in 2020 in 50 different countries.

Outcome:

The sole reason for the launch of REELS was to provide a medium of entertainment to Instagram users whereas, IGTV was more of a platform for influencers and social media marketing!

Utilization: IGTV vs. Reels

IGTV and reels both have a different audience and ways of utilization.

What can IGTV Used for?

According to statistics, Around 60% of users prefer watching online video content rather than television, and an estimate of 72% of people prefer checking how-to-use guides and product videos before buying which made IGTV a strong medium for marketing and showcasing skills.

Episodic Series

Renowned Channels and influencers can make the most of this medium by promoting their content in an episodic manner. They can upload video series after short intervals to keep their audience engaged. Uploading content in parts, sections, and episodes make it more interesting and result in the increased following. Influencers can make videos on different topics every day or every week to attract more and more people on their Instagram page.

Live Streaming

The best feature of IGTV is that It allows user to stream live in their events, as more people get connected to the event, It is a very easy way to promote your IG account because live updates are always engaging as people who wanted to be a part of that event and couldn’t join could be there virtually. From product launch, to live shows, to behind-the-scenes of any event, it is always fun to watch.

IGTV Live streaming can also be used to record and share exciting or unfavorable events, if anything occurs that seems unjustified or anything you would like the world to see, you can just put it on IGTV and it might get viral in hours. Hence, Can be used as a strong medium for expressing views.

Video Tutorials

Tutorials are the most commonly used method of helping people and recommending products. On IGTV, A huge number of new and popular accounts love promoting their products through tutorials. The most popular tutorial ideas are to create make-up tutorials, cooking/ Food videos, Fashion tutorials, skill teaching tutorials, and DIY videos.

Where Reels are Used?

Initially, Instagram Reels were introduced for the user to create videos that showcase the talent and for the user who wants to pass their time watching something interesting and fresh. Entertainment might be the first and foremost reason for the creation of Ig reels but that not the only reason.

Instagram Reels is becoming a popular medium for small advertisements, its 5-15 second format is working as a very good tool for instant attention-grabbing for the user who doesn’t want to check long videos.

Profile Video of Company

A short profile video of company is still considered an effective way to make people see a glimpse of what you do and how you do it, you can make a series of these engaging short videos to educate customers about your manufacturing or working process.

Marketing Content

Teasers are a great way to grab the attention of customers and If you plan to put a teaser on your Instagram business profile, Reels can help you with it. You can create small product videos by physically showcasing the product and its features.

Product Reviews

A brief, 15 seconds product review by any influential consumer or customer can be very helpful in inducing traffic to the product. People tend to watch small advertisement way more than a long and detailed advertisement

Outcome:

IGTV is a good marketing tool when it comes to providing a customer descriptive and detailed overview of products but Instagram Reel can help your product grab instant attention. A good Insta Reel can drive traffic to your IGTV videos which end up with more views.

IGTV VS. Reels Statistics

IGTV and Reels have grabbed a certain level of popularity in the world. People have been taking notice of both features.

How Successful is IGTV Till Now?

IGTV has not gained as much popularity as Instagram expected of it, but it sure has the potential of becoming a popular video marketing application.

According to the Social Media Marketing Report of the year 2019, Influencers and marketers have been adapting IGTV but at a slower rate than expected. Facebook and YouTube have 50% share of B2B and B2C video marketing, around 38% share of marketers still prefer Instagram Stories, and the rest of 26% is of the marketers who tried their luck on IGTV.

Preference for B2C

IGTV has proven to produce good results for B2C rather than B2B, If a business is a product based than IGTV can be a good medium to hire micro-influencers to promote a product. If you sell products that are visually attractive or alluring such as jewellery, camping gears, yoga gears, food products, sports gear, or fitness training then, you must try your luck on IGTV for promotions. Also, It works only if your target audience is below 40 and your account has a good following.

How Successful is the Instagram Reel Till Now?

Despite being the latest feature, Instagram reels have caught a significant amount of attention and engagement. Brands like Louis Vuitton, red bull, Sephora, and Balmain have been using Instagram reels to attract their users.

Response in Different Countries

The number of users in brazil started to increase after the launch of Reels by every month. In India, Instagram reels have around 7.7 Million downloads which are pretty impressive for starters. The average use of Instagram in India has increased by 3.4% after the launch of Instagram reels.

The Response of Popular Brands

Louis-Vuitton got around 7 million views on every Reel. Sephora- France has around 452 thousand views on every Reel. Red bull has an average of 2.4 Million views on their Reel. Balmain 1 million views and around100,000 likes on its Reels.

Outcome:

IGTV could not bring the kind of influence expected of it, however the team of Instagram has been working on the UI, So, and IGTV has the potential to become a good marketing tool. However, by the response Reel is getting we can predict its future popularity.

Conclusion – Which is Better, IGTV or Reels?

IGTV and Instagram Reels are a strong tool for entertainment and marketing, However, They both differ in their ways of marketing, If IGTV focuses on educating its user, Reels, in its alluring ways grabs attention for it. If IGTV is good for video series, Reels can be used to show a glimpse of that series. If IGTV provides a platform for marketers and influencers, Reels provides a platform for the new talent. Both of these features have their significances and can be used for different purposes, but they make users understand why Instagram is the second most popular social media applications in different countries.