Instagram tests horizontal videos to compete with YouTube

Instagram has begun testing horizontal video format through a feature called Features, with the direct goal of challenging YouTube for viewer retention and for attracting content creators, according to Forbes Centroamérica. The product is in beta with a selected group of creators in the U.S. and allows the publication of long-form videos of up to 90 minutes.

This strategic move by Meta seeks to turn the app into a direct competitor in the market for long-form audiovisual content, a space historically dominated by platforms such as YouTube, Spotify and Netflix. The addition of this format expands monetization options for content creators, especially in the video podcast segment, which has become one of the main avenues for attracting both creators and advertisers in the digital ecosystem.

During the announcement, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said the platform is in the early stages of testing and gathering feedback to give creators more room to tell their stories. For its part, Vice President of Product Tessa Lyons explained that users will be able to link podcast clips viewed on Reels directly to the full videos hosted in the main feature.

Initial tests are running on mobile devices, although the company plans to bring the viewing experience to television screens. This expansion aims to capture a larger share of the global audience and diversify the social network's advertising revenue against competition in the technology sector.