How to post full length videos on instagram

How to Post a Long Video on Instagram: Reels, Stories, Feed

Instagram

Egle Gerulaityte

May 5, 2022 3 min

Instagram is great for video content, but there are restrictions on the video length. This article will teach you how to share up to 10 minutes of video in one post.

Updated on October 3, 2022

Instagram has supported video content for a long time now, but they still don't give you nearly as many options as other platforms like YouTube or Facebook.

TL;DR – Use the Instagram Studio to trim your videos into shorter sections and upload them to Instagram Reels or your Feed.

One of the biggest restrictions on Instagram video content has been the length of videos you're able to post — and it's different for each video platform within Instagram.

In order of length, the restrictions are as follows:

Instagram Stories: Videos up to 60 seconds long; all videos longer than 60 seconds can be trimmed in app.
Instagram Reels: Videos less than 90 seconds.
Instagram Video (aka regular Feed posts): Videos up to 10 minutes long.

You two options to post videos longer than 90 seconds on Instagram:

Option 1: Cut your video into shorter clips to share on Reels and Stories

Option 2: Upload to your Feed with Instagram Video (formally known as IGTV)

Which option should you choose, and what works best for Instagram? Let’s take a look.

Option 1: Cut Your Video into Shorter Clips

If you have a longer video that you want to post to Stories or Reels, your best bet will be to cut the video up into shorter sections:

If it’s for an IG Story, cut the video into 60-second clips and post them one after another in the same post.
If it's for Instagram Reels, trim your video until it's shorter than 90 seconds.

For Stories, you have the option to trim your video in Instagram before sharing to Stories, but the in-app editor is missing the precise control you'd want for trimming videos to a specific time stamp. If you want control over you own content and for the video to flow smoothly from one Story clip to the next, your best bet is to cut and edit the video yourself.

I recommend using the Kapwing Studio to cut your clips on a phone or computer.

Start by going to Kapwing.com in your phone's browser and click Get Started to enter the Studio. From there, upload your video from your phone or any online location.

Using the Timeline, Trim, Split, and Rearrange your video until you have the perfect clip of 90 seconds or less. Tap the Export button, then the Download button, and repeat the process for each video clip you want to post!

Option 2: Upload to Your Instagram Feed

In 2018, Instagram launched a solution for longer videos: Instagram TV, or IGTV for short. They've since retired IGTV, combining existing IGTV videos with Instagram Feed videos to create Instagram Video. You can now post longer videos, up to 10 minutes, directly to your Feed.

The trick with Instagram Video, however, is to pick the right thumbnail for your video to show up in your feed. Instagram allows you to do this when posting, so just make sure you know exactly which shot from the video you want your followers to see in your feed. You can also create and upload a custom thumbnail to use.

We hope this article helps you share all of your best videos on Instagram, no matter how long they are! If you're interested in more tips and tutorials on creating great digital content, check out the Kapwing YouTube channel. And while you're here, take a look at some related articles on editing content for Instagram:

• How to Download Instagram Videos Online
• How to Upload Instagram Videos from a Computer
• How to Post YouTube Videos on Instagram
• How to Fit the Whole Picture on Instagram

How to Post Longer Videos on Instagram

Instagram has been growing in popularity since its debut in 2010, and users tend to love Instagram’s focus on communicating via pictures and videos. The app is optimized for mobile devices, making it the perfect social media platform for today’s technology age. It’s never been easier to take and share high-quality photos.

Instagram has gradually added additional features as users demand more and more ways to communicate with friends and followers. However, Instagram continues to limit those same functions, requiring users to jump through hoops to accomplish their goals. One such goal is longer-length videos.

The Length of Instagram Videos

With the advent of Instagram focusing on videos to compete with TikTok and YouTube, users can take videos, share them on their profile, send them via direct message, and post them to their Story. However, these videos come with time limits.

Instagram Live can last up to four hours (previously one hour).
Instagram Stories can last up to 15 seconds.
Instagram Videos on your feed (formerly IGTV and feed posts up until Oct. 2021) can last up to 60 minutes.
Instagram Reels can last up to 90 seconds (previously 60 seconds).

Of course, this can be annoying when you want to share something that doesn’t fit within these time constraints.

So how do you get around Instagram’s video limits? There are a few methods for getting your longer videos up on Instagram where they belong! It starts with deciding which option is best. You cannot make Reels, Live, or Videos longer than their preset limit, but you can make Stories “appear” longer.

If you have a prerecorded video that fits within the time constraints of Reels (now 90 seconds versus 60), it is best to publish it there, so the entire video gets seen. However, if you need to use Instagram Stories, it can overlap to appear as one (up to 100 clips at 15 seconds each with a slight, almost unnoticeable pause between them), which gives you plenty of time to use it in a 24-hour duration.

How to Post Longer Instagram Stories Videos

Uploading videos on Instagram Stories has a limit of 15 seconds per clip. If your video overlaps that limit, IG cuts it into 15-second segments (up to 60 seconds total). The best option is to use a third-party app to trim your videos before uploading them so that you can clip longer videos that overlap the 60-second limit. This way, it auto-plays the way you want, specifying the duration for each clip rather than the 15-second increments.

You can clip the first segment at 10 seconds, followed by 15 for the second clip, and then continue beyond 60 seconds to make your IG Story longer. As confirmed on Mashable, the maximum number of Stories (segments) per day is 100.

Even though Instagram limits your Story to 60 seconds total, you can continue adding more clips/segments to make it as long as you need—up to the 100 Story limit. Instagram auto-plays each piece, one after the other, with almost seamless precision.

Note: If you experience blurred videos or strange transitions between each clip, it may be your internet speed at the time of uploading, or Instagram needs more time to finish the publishing process. When we attempted to split a long video and upload it in segments using a third-party app, the transitions between clips got blurry for a second. Later, the blur disappeared, and IG showed a reasonably smooth transition.

Here are the methods available to make Instagram Stories longer.

#1. Upload Your Long Video to Instagram Stories Directly

The quickest way to upload your longer video to Instagram Stories is to add it directly to the app. Remember that Instagram only uses the first 60 seconds and cuts the segments into 15-second increments. Therefore, only the first minute of your video gets published, which is often undesired.

Go into Instagram and add the long video to your Story. IG automatically creates clips of 15 seconds and continues up to 1 minute total. The rest of the video gets cut.

Note: This option may not work for some users. When we tried it on June 18, 2022, we kept getting an error after uploading the first 15-second clip. It would not continue to the next one.

#2. Use Multiple Clips to Make Longer Instagram Stories

The best and most straightforward way to make longer videos for your Instagram Story is to post your video in increments manually. This method allows you to post segments/clips that exceed the 60-second Story limit.

Many third-party apps do the legwork for you, splitting your video into 15-second segments or less, and some ensure that your video is Instagram qualified (resolution, framerate, etc.). If not, Instagram automatically converts them to the required specs. Here are some of the best options to make Instagram Stories longer.

InShot for Android and iOS

InShot is one of the best options because you can make “numerous” edits to your video before uploading it, such as stickers, transitions, audio, filters, etc. Plus, you can get InShot for Android and InShot for iPhone, compared to many apps specifically designed for only one operating system. Add your video to InShot, make any desired edits, and then select to share it on Instagram. From there, you post it to your IG Story.

Story Cutter for Android

On Android, Story Cutter by Cubetix Private Photo Vault is an excellent second choice, mainly because it is easy to use and fast. We mention the publisher names to protect you from copycat apps and ensure you get the right one. With Story Cutter, you choose the video, select Instagram as the desired source, tap on “Done,” and then let it start the splitting process. From there, you share each clip/segment to Instagram Stories, and IG combines them to make your longer video.

Split video for iOS/iPhone

On iOS/iPhone, Split Video by New Marketing Lab, Inc is a good option. The app is 100% free with full functionality. What sets it apart from others is the controlled/limited ads.

CutStory for iOS/IPhone

CutStory by LLC Sport Star Management is another iOS app that gets high ratings and offers extra editing options when making sequential 15-second clips for Instagram Story videos. However, CutStory incorporates a watermark unless you pay a premium price (relatively cheap) or subscribe, but there are no ads.

Continual for Instagram for iPhone

If you’re an iPhone user, consider shelling out $7.99 for Continual for Instagram. This app automatically trims your lengthier videos into 15-second increments for sharing them on your Instagram Story. You can then upload the clips together or individually.

If you’re looking for a way to cut and upload long videos to Instagram, it doesn’t get easier than this.

StorySplitter for iPhone

If you can’t justify the price for some video editing apps, StorySplitter is free for iOS users (.99 for the premium version). It does effectively the same thing, splitting videos into 15-second clips.

However, unlike Continual for Instagram, it doesn’t allow you to post videos in landscape format, and unless you spring for the premium version, it will watermark your images. Still, for a free app, it should get the job done.

Built-In Video Editors

You may also be able to use your phone’s video editing features to trim the video into 15-second increments, but it is challenging to do so. It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact times to clip, and you may miss segments during the cutting process. If you choose this option, you’ll have to make your 1-minute video and trim it to four (or more) 15-second (or less) clips, which you can easily upload to Instagram one by one.

Here’s how to upload your clips to Instagram Stories from your phone’s image gallery. Note that third-party apps have an Instagram button that automatically takes you to Instagram Stories.

Tap the “” icon (add icon) in the top-right section.
Select “Story” from the dropdown options.
Tap on the video you want to add to your Story or select multiple videos and images by long-pressing one of them to open the multi-select option.
Tap “Next” in the bottom-right section to continue to the next step.
Tap on “Separate” for videos, images, or both, or choose “Layout” for images only.
The selected files appear as clips/segments at the bottom of the new screen. Tap on “Next” to go to the next step.
The “Share” screen appears at the bottom. Ensure “Your Story” has a checkmark, then tap on “Share.”
Instagram will start the conversion/upload process.

Regardless of the method used to make Instagram Stories longer, when someone visits your Story, they’ll see your video segments/clips in the order you posted them. It won’t be 100% seamless, but it’ll be very close to your wanted narrative.

Method Three: Go Live

The one major downside to the two methods mentioned above is that your videos won’t be 100% seamless. Although Instagram Stories will play in order automatically, they may come across as mildly jerky where one clip ends, and another begins.

If you want your video to be whole, try doing it live first.

Instagram live videos can be up to 4 hours long.

FAQs: Making Longer Instagram Videos

Can I put a link to my video?

When you create a post, you can always mention “Link in Bio” and direct people to your YouTube channel, website, or anywhere your video is shared. Thanks to their spam blocking protocol, Instagram doesn’t allow users to add links directly to their posts.

Final Thoughts

Instagram is incredibly popular because it’s an excellent platform for taking and sharing photos and videos with your followers. However, when you want to upload a video longer than one minute, Instagram’s time restrictions can be frustrating.

If you need to have your video posted on your Instagram feed, it’s best to take the time and make it as impactful as possible. Packing a catchy, high-quality, and engaging video into 15 seconds isn’t easy, but it’s possible.

How to add multiple videos to Instagram in different ways

Want to add multiple videos to Instagram* at once, but don't know how yet? We will tell you how to do it from your phone and computer.

How to add multiple videos to Instagram* from a PC

Not so long ago, posting to Instagram* could only be done from a phone or via a mobile app emulator. But then Instagram* finally allowed posting from the web version, now you can post videos not only from a smartphone, but also from a computer. In the article we will consider each method. nine0003

Through the web version of the official website

Videos on Instagram* are interesting for users, they are eagerly watched. You can show, for example, videos about the creation of your products. This is discussed in our idea for the post “Process Video”. This will help to attract the audience and show them your expertise.

At the end of 2021, Instagram* decided to please users with another update and allow posting from a computer. To post several videos on a social network from a PC, we will follow a simple algorithm. nine0003

Open the main page of Instagram*. Go to your page or immediately look for the “+” icon in the upper right corner. You will be prompted to create a new post.

There are two ways to add a video to a future post:

Drag the desired videos to the download window. You can drag them one at a time or several at once. The clips will appear on the screen.
Click on "Select from computer". A window will appear in which you can select the path and the desired files to download. nine0020

Until recently, it was not possible to post anything through the official Instagram app*

When the files are uploaded, they will appear on the screen.

You can crop the edges of the clip and center it

Each video can be trimmed or the order of the clips can be changed if it was disturbed during loading, and the video that should have been the first turned out to be the second or third.

You can change the order of videos or add more videos

To change the order, click on the white square in the lower right corner. You can also add a few more videos - for this, just click on the plus in the circle. nine0003

If everything is fine at this stage, click on "Next" and proceed to the next stage before publishing the video.

The editing window opens. Here you can:

choose a photo for the cover;
cut the video and leave only the necessary fragment;
turn off the sound.

The settings apply to all downloaded clips. To switch between videos and adjust the next one, click on the arrow in the center of the right edge of the video. nine0003 You can see how each video will look after publication

If you like everything done, click on "Next" and find yourself in the next window. This is the post creation window. Here you can add finishing touches before posting.

Post description will apply to all added videos

What can be edited here:

description - tell what the videos are about in the post, attach emoticons;
geolocation - indicate the city to which your company belongs and in which you are looking for a new audience; nine0020
people tags - indicate users, for example, who are involved in the video or should see it;
special features - if a person cannot hear, he will be able to read the text of the video;
advanced settings - turn off comments if you want no one to write anything under the post.

By the way, comments can be turned off later, if necessary.

Done. You are great, the post is published, you can collect reactions and customers who want to order goods with a video :-)

Via SMMplanner

Via the SMMplanner scheduling posting service, it has long been possible to publish videos on Instagram*. Using the link, you will get free access to all functions and after registration you will be able to publish posts and stories to all social networks for 2 whole weeks. Discover huge functionality, schedule posts for several days or weeks at once, get on with more important things.

Let's go back to how to post two or more videos on Instagram*.

First, log in to the service or simply go to your page in SMMplanner. Click on Schedule Post. nine0003 The post is published through the "Posts" tab

A window for creating a post opens, where you can:

Add a video and/or photo using the "Photo/Video" button. Just click on it, select the desired videos in the window, add them.
Create a visual with Canva. With this service, you can create an image for social networks, a poster or a collage - your choice.
Add link. Attach a link to the company website, specific product, or research that you talked about in the post and video. Let people take a closer look and be interested. nine0020

Be sure to select the page on which the post will be published.

This is what the SMMplanner page looks like in the process of preparing a post for publication

Thanks to SMMplanner, you can:

publish posts with several videos at once in different social networks;
automatically delete a post after a certain time;
disable comments under the post;
add the first comment to the post;
insert hashtags;
start the first comment deletion timer;
choose a cover for videos;
post gif as video;
make sure the post is out.

The main plus is that all posts can be postponed: prepare them for publication, plan the dates and times of publication in advance. And do other things. Is it healthy?

Deciding on an account or several pages at once, where the post will be published. Select the videos that you want to attach to the publication. nine0003 If desired, you can add a survey or geolocation to the post

Each video can be edited, the cover can be changed or deleted.

Video can be published:

as a post;
in Reels;
on IGTV;
in stories.

The settings for each option are equally simple, regardless of whether you choose Stories or Reels. Enjoy :–) If you haven't figured out what Reels are and why you need them at all, read our article "Instagram Reels: Everything you need to know about short video reels on Instagram*". In it, we talk about all the possibilities of this format. nine0003 Selecting the date and time for publication

So, the videos have been added and edited, the account has also been selected. It remains to decide where and when the post will be published.

You can select one date and time to post to all social networks at the same time. You can assign different times and even dates for the same post in different social networks. Everything is customizable according to your wishes.

If everything is ready - just click on the "OK" button, the post will be scheduled. All posts are ready - great, you can exhale. nine0003

If you need to prepare a video for targeting, read the article "How to make a video for targeting in social networks: formats, services, editors". There is a maximum of information on how to make the coolest video and get all the customers.

How to add 2 or more videos to Instagram* from your phone

To post multiple videos to Instagram* in the mobile version, you will need a phone or tablet and an installed Instagram* application, preferably the latest version.

Open the application and click on the plus sign in the upper right corner. Then select "Publish". nine0003 Publishing from a phone is not much different from publishing from a computer, only there are more possibilities.

You will open a gallery with files on your device. Next, select the video files that you would like to publish. If you need to publish several files, select the file that will be the first.

The blue circles show which clips you have already selected

Hold it and a circle will appear on the other files in the upper right corner. You will now be able to select a few more videos or photos. The number in a circle indicates the order of the files, pay attention to it when choosing clips. nine0003

The order in which the videos will be played is optional. Videos must not be longer than 60 seconds. Otherwise, the system will reduce them to one minute. To make your post look interesting and unusual, you can use various filters.

You can crop clips yourself, choosing important moments from long videos

You can edit the video, you can:

shorten the clip;
cut a moment that is suitable for publication; nine0020
apply filters from those proposed by the system;
change cover.

You can shorten the video, change the cover or select filters for the video

In the description line, in addition to the text, you can add hashtags that reflect the content of the video. Learn more about hashtags and how to use them on different social networks in our article “How to use hashtags on social networks: a guide”.

Writing a post about how we want to go to the sea

You can also add a location. This can be important for companies that need to gain a new audience and remind old customers about themselves. nine0003 Write a city or street and see what Instagram offers*

Look carefully at the geolocation, otherwise instead of Lenin Street in Rostov-on-Don, you will indicate Lenin in Moscow and be surprised how many people looked at the publication, but no one came.

This is what the post we just created looks like

How to add multiple videos to an Instagram Story* from your phone

And turn on the Instagram app* again. If you still don’t quite understand what to publish in stories, we suggest reading the article “The basics of working with Instagram Stories *: posting rules and useful features”. There we talk in detail about the features of the format and shooting modes. nine0003

The top left corner is occupied by your account icon with a blue plus sign. Click on it, select two or more videos and click "Next".

Sometimes you also want to add a lot of videos to stories

You can select a folder on your mobile from which you will add videos for publication.

How many folders there are on your phone or tablet - all will appear for selection

Select the videos that we want to add to a future post. Check the order again. Is the number 1 in blue on the video that should be the first? So everything is correct. nine0003 Have you chosen everything and decided on the order? Click on "Next"

Optionally, you can:

process videos;
add effects;
write or draw a picture inside the roller;
add text or emoji;
remove or change the sound.

Any processing, editing and effects - all at your discretion. You can publish as is.

You can draw something on the video and apply filters

We use the text if we plan, for example, to advertise a tour, service or product. We select the font size, its color, slope and everything else.

To start writing text, click on the corresponding icon

You can also add a picture to the video. To do this, click on 3 dots and select "Picture" in the drop-down menu. Done, you can draw.

Click on 3 dots and start drawing

Click "Next" and choose who will see this Story:

all users;
only close friends;
specific user in private message.

The picture will also appear on the cover of stories

Everything is fine, the story is ready. It will be seen by those for whom you posted it. And maybe comment. By the way, you can add not only pictures, but also polls to stories. How - they told in the idea for the post "Polls", but you can apply it to stories.

If you need to see statistics on published stories, read our article “Instagram Stories Statistics* 2021 – Guide”. In it, we tell you what indicators to look at and how to work with them. Analyze your performance and develop to become the coolest company in your niche. nine0003

How to add multiple videos to Featured

The video has been posted and is now in your stories. But this is not for long. After 24 hours, the video will disappear, no one will see it. But you can pin the video in Actual, then it will delight your subscribers indefinitely.

To add videos from a fresh story to a Featured Story, click on your Story.

We are looking for the “Add to Hot” button in the lower right corner

Click, a menu appears in which Instagram * will offer to select a Hot folder or create a new one. If you haven't already, you will need to name the new folder. We advise you to choose a name that will reflect the content of the stories. nine0003 The name was chosen, click on "Add", a new folder appears, and the story is fixed in it

Now all the videos added to the Actual will be there until they are deleted. Users can view them at any time.

Video posted in Featured

We figured out how to add multiple videos to a post or Instagram Story*, pin new stories to Featured. This is a simple process, and with the help of SMMplanner, posts can be scheduled at once for several days or weeks in advance, so as not to do it every day. nine0003

More about Instagram*, creating accounts and working with them - in our blog. Subscribe to learn all about social networks and promotion :–)

How to record Reels video on Instagram?

Help Center

Instagram features

Sharing photos and videos

From July 2022, most videos will only be able to be shared using the Reels feature. These changes will not affect videos previously posted to the feed and posted to Instagram on the web. nine0003

The Reels feature is not yet available to everyone. Some account holders will be able to view Reels videos, but will not be able to shoot them.

The Reels feature allows you to shoot and edit 90-second Instagram videos. Reels videos can be overlaid with various effects and music, as well as use original audio tracks in them.

Video Recording Reels

Instagram app for Android

Tap the icon at the top of the screen or swipe right anywhere on the feed. nine0003

Scroll to the Reels option at the bottom of the screen.

Tap and hold to record a clip, or tap this icon to start recording and again to end. You can also click on the camera roll at the bottom left of the screen to add a video from it.

Click Preview.

Select Edit Clips to view, trim or delete your previous clip and click Done.

Tap the appropriate icon at the top of the screen to add stickers, pictures, and text to your Reels video. Click to download the video to your device. Use the slider at the bottom of the screen to choose when you want the text to appear on the video and click Next. nine0003

Click Edit Cover to edit the cover photo and add a caption.

Select Share or Share to Reels.

Instagram app for iPhone

Touch the icon at the top of the screen or swipe right anywhere on the feed.

Scroll to the Reels option at the bottom of the screen.

Tap and hold to record a clip, or tap this icon to start recording and again to end. You can also click on the camera roll at the bottom left of the screen to add a video from it. nine0003

Click Next in the lower right corner of the screen.

Select Edit Clips to view, trim or delete your previous clip.