Instagram is making updates to its Reels templates, a feature that allows users to make their own video based on someone else’s. The result could be a lot more content that looks exactly like everything else.
The templates divide the reels into a predetermined format into which users can place their own photos and videos: a sequence of five 0.7-second clips on a specific song, for example. It’s an easy way to participate in viral trends while spending minimal time editing, and it also encourages the proliferation of content that’s only slightly different from other videos, which I’d guess is the same thing.
He updates to Reels are taking the copy and paste approach a step further: the presets will soon also include the text and transitions that the original video had, though users will be able to customize different elements if they don’t want their clip to look exactly the same.
Instagram is also adding more ways to find templates if you don’t feel like creating your own concept video. A new template browser page shows Instagram template recommendations, plus trending streams that are popular with other users. Any templates that users have saved for later will also appear here.