Instagram is launching a major initiative called "Features" to support longform horizontal video content. Megan Buckley stated that the company is currently conducting a small test of these new features in the United States.
The platform is also testing the tools with a selection of creators in Brazil. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has historically opposed the inclusion of longform video on the app.
Mosseri said, "one of my concerns has been, how do we make sure that we keep Instagram not just about entertainment, but about connecting with friends." He noted that many Reels, photos, and carousels are content that users might not typically send to a friend.
The development team is now attempting to make shortform and longform video formats "symbiotic." Instagram previously released a TV app late last year as a pilot for Amazon Fire TV devices in the US, which focused primarily on Reels.
That application later expanded to include support for Apple TV, Samsung TVs, and Google TVs. Earlier this year, the company introduced new capabilities such as the ability to view Stories sooner.
Current testing includes a method for creators to produce a "series" of Reels and clips that link directly to longer videos. The company is also evaluating improvements to help users discover live video content.
