Instagram built its reputation on photos, short videos, and quick interactions. Now, it is testing something that could change how creators use the platform: horizontal videos up to 90 minutes long, under a new format called Features.
Announced on October 26, 2026, Features is currently being tested with creators in Brazil and a limited group in the United States. It is not available to everyone, and Instagram has not announced a general release date. The goal is to give creators more room for content such as podcasts, interviews, tutorials, vlogs, and longer project videos without requiring viewers to leave Instagram. Social Media Today
Reels as the Trailer, Long-Form Video as the Main Event
One of the most interesting parts of the test is Clips as Reels. Creators can turn excerpts from longer videos into Reels that link back to the full-length video. Instagram is testing the ability to connect up to eight Reels clips to one longer video. That creates a path from a quick discovery moment to a deeper viewing experience. This connection is also part of a limited test, not a feature every account can use today. Social Media Today
Think about how this could work for a welding or fabrication business. A 30-second clip showing a challenging weld could lead into a longer project walkthrough. A short interview with a customer could introduce a full conversation. A quick look at a finished metal sculpture could point viewers toward a longer video showing how it was built. Instagram is trying to connect the short-form content people discover in their feeds with longer videos they may want to watch next. That puts the platform in more direct competition with YouTube, particularly for creators who already use short clips to promote full episodes or tutorials. TechCrunch
The Big Question: How Will Creators Make Money?
There is an important catch. Instagram has not announced a long-term revenue-sharing model for Features. Meta has said it is exploring ways for creators to earn through brands, fans, and Instagram itself, including performance-based incentives. But creators should not assume that uploading a 90-minute video will generate payment based on views. YouTube already has an established Partner Program with advertising revenue sharing, while Instagram's approach for Features remains undecided. TechCrunch
That distinction matters for anyone investing hours in filming, editing, and producing long-form content. Instagram could become another useful place to reach an audience, but reach alone does not guarantee revenue. Until the platform clarifies its monetization options, creators should evaluate Features based on the audience they can reach, the business opportunities it creates, and the time required to produce the content.
What This Means for Your Business
You do not need to change your entire content strategy because Instagram is testing a longer video format. If you already publish on YouTube, continue building that library while watching how Instagram's test develops. If Features becomes available to your account, consider testing it with a video you already know your audience wants to watch.
For small businesses, useful long-form content does not have to look like a professional television production. It could be a detailed product demonstration, a customer interview, a shop tour, a project breakdown, or an explanation of how you solve a common problem. Short clips can introduce the topic, while a longer video gives interested viewers the details.
The key is to make the content useful enough to justify its length. A 90-minute limit is not a recommendation to make every video 90 minutes long. Answer the question, tell the story, or demonstrate the process in the time it actually needs.
Today’s 5-Minute Task
Create a simple plan for one longer video.
Choose a project, product, service, or question your audience would benefit from seeing explained in more detail. Spend five minutes writing down:
The main video: What would you explain, demonstrate, or show?
Three short clips: What moments could stand alone as useful or interesting videos?
The next step: What should viewers do after watching, such as contacting you, exploring a product, or watching another tutorial?
You do not need access to Instagram Features to do this. You can use the same approach with YouTube videos and short-form content today. If Instagram expands the test to your account, you will already have a plan to evaluate.
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Sources
Social Media Today: Instagram rolls out limited Features test in the US
TechCrunch: Watch out, YouTube, Instagram goes from short-form to 90-minute videos
The Verge: Instagram doesn’t have a plan to pay long-form video creators
Social media platforms will continue to experiment with new formats. You do not need to chase every update. Focus on understanding what changes, how it could help your audience, and whether it makes sense for your business before investing time and money.
At Slag Tag Media+, the goal is to make social media easier to understand and more useful in practice. Keep learning, keep testing what works, and keep building connections that matter.
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