Nearly 80 percent of creators saw more reach on Trial Reels from non-followers, as per Instagram.
The new features are aimed at mitigating intimidation when posting content on Instagram
Photo Credit: Instagram
Instagram on Thursday announced several new features aimed at helping artists and creators express themselves better. The Meta-owned platform is testing the ability to re-order the feed, enabling users to have better control over how their content appears on Instagram. Further, it will also soon let them post media without broadcasting it to everyone's feeds. The social media platform also announced a feature for sharing currently playing tracks on Spotify to Notes, alongside a partnership with the Catalan pop artist Rosalia on a new font inspired by her handwriting for Stories and Reels.
Instagram detailed its new features in a blog post. It is testing the ability to let users quietly post on their profile, without having the content appear in everyone's feeds. This is aimed at mitigating any intimation when expressing creativity. The social media platform said it will allow more flexibility over how content appears in a user's feed by enabling them to re-order it.
Trial Reels are also being expanded to everyone. Introduced in December 2024, this feature makes it easier for creators to experiment with new content beyond their niche, such as a new genre, topic, or storytelling format. Trial Reels appear only in the non-followers' feed, providing performance metrics like views, likes, comments, and shares after 24 hours.
The company noted that 40 percent of creators, after trying out the Trial Reels feature, started posting content more often, while 80 percent of them also saw an increase in their reach from non-followers.
Another new feature has been introduced for Notes. Users can now share the tracks they're currently listening to on Spotify in Notes. This allows them to “connect with friends through music”, as per Instagram. Lastly, they will be able to find a new font for Stories and Reels which is inspired by the handwriting of the Catalan pop and flamenco singer Rosalia.
The Meta-owned platform is also launching a new initiative dubbed Drafts. It is aimed at investing in supporting emerging artists and creators. Instagram will provide financial support, connections, co-ideation and collaboration opportunities to realise creative projects of up and coming artists like Tyrell Hampton, Young Emperors, Sailorr and Jake Fleming.
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