Instagram Reels has become the favorite feature on the platform. In fact, 74% of Instagram’s user base uses Reels. If you’re new to Instagram, Reels should be on your radar. The question many new users have is how to watch Reels on Instagram. Not sure how? Don’t worry, it’s quite easy. Let’s talk about Instagram Reels and how to get started watching them.
Instagram Reels 101
To start watching Reels, there are several options.
Finding Instagram Reels
- Home Feed: Oftentimes Reels will appear directly in your Instagram feed while you’re scrolling.
- Reels Tab: Instagram also has a dedicated Reels tab, which is under a movie-style clapperboard icon in the center of the navigation menu at the bottom of the app. Clicking on this icon will send you to a continuous feed of Reels from accounts you follow and trending Reels based on your algorithm.
- Explore Page: Another place to find Reels is on the Explore Page, which is where Instagram suggests content based on your interests and past interactions.
- Individual Profiles: If you’re interested in the Reels from a specific account, go to their profile and select the Reels icon which is next to the grid icon for regular posts.
Watching and Interacting With Reels
Once you’ve found a Reel you want to watch, you can interact with it in several ways.
- Pause/Play: Simply tap on a Reel to pause it, then click on it again to resume playing.
- Like, Comment and Share: Underneath the Reel there will be icons to like, comment and share it. You can share Reels through direct messages or post it on your story. You can also copy the link to share it outside of the app.
- Check Out Audio: Typically, Reels will use trending music or audio clips. If you like the audio in a Reel, you can click on the audio name at the bottom of the screen. This will take you to a page where you can see all the Reels that use the same audio.
- Follow Accounts: If you find yourself watching a lot of Reels from the same creator, you can easily follow them by tapping on their profile icon above the Reel and pressing the follow button.
Finding More Reels
After you’ve been watching and engaging with Reels, Instagram’s algorithm will suggest new Reels based on your interactions. As you like, comment and share Reels, the suggestions for Reels and the Explore Page will become more tailored to your preferences. Here are some tips on how to make sure you’re seeing content you want to see:
- Search for Hashtags and Audio: Use the search function to find Reels based on specific hashtags or audio clips.
- Watch Complete Reels: It’s important to watch Reels all the way through. This signals to Instagram that you enjoyed the content, which can influence the algorithm to show you similar videos.
Closing Thoughts
The bottom line is that Instagram Reels offers a dynamic way to experience creative, fun and informative content. Whether you’re looking to be entertained, inspired, or learn something new, taking the time to explore and interact with Reels can greatly enhance your Instagram experience.
