How Long Should Reels be on Instagram for Max Engagement?

Instagram reels are short, catchy, and engaging videos that can help you grow your audience and reach new customers. But how long should your Reels be to get the most out of them? Some studies have shown that shorter reels tend to perform better than longer ones, especially when it comes to views, likes, and comments .

However, this doesn’t mean that you should always aim for the shortest possible reel. Sometimes, you might need more time to tell a story, showcase a product, or teach something valuable to your audience. In that case, you should focus on the quality and relevance of your content, rather than the length. 

In this article, we’ll explore the best Instagram reel length for max engagement in 2023, based on the latest trends, data, and tips from experts.

Best Reel Length for You

The best Reel length for you is actually depends on your goals. Are you aiming to snag viewers’ attention in a flash, or weave a captivating tale? These Reels have distinct purposes and, therefore, ideal durations.

So, let’s dive into your goals and find the perfect fit:

1. Grab Attention (3-7 Seconds)

Keep it short, sweet, and energetic! A dull Reel without these elements will likely send your audience swiping down faster than you can say “swipe up.” Most attention-grabbers clock in at 3 seconds, so aim for that sweet spot.

2. Boost Views (3-10 Seconds)

You can stretch your legs a bit here, but with clever tricks! Think surprise endings that have viewers hitting replay to catch the clues, or text overlays over fast-paced footage. This forces them to rewind and pause to read, racking up those view counts.

3. Spark Engagement (15-30 Seconds)

Remember, the first 3-5 seconds are crucial for hooking your audience. Clickbait titles, intriguing questions, or unexpected statements are your allies. The key is to keep them glued until your call to action at the end: “Comment now!”, “Share this!”, “Leave your answer below!”, you get the picture.

4. Build Connections (60-90 Seconds)

Stories are powerful tools in the short-form video world. Sharing your journey in a Reel can forge genuine bonds with your audience. If you can tell your story succinctly, shorter videos might work. But avoid droning on and boring them with unnecessary length!

Why does Instagram Reel length matter?

The length of your Instagram Reels can impact how many people engage with them. When you find the right length for your Reels, the algorithm works to your advantage. That means new users will discover your Reels!

The Instagram Reels algorithm favors content that has high engagement, uses original audio, is full-screen vertical videos, and uses creative tools like text, filter, or camera effects. Ideally, you want people to rewatch your Reels so that Instagram counts the multiple views. You also want people to engage with your Reels by liking, sharing, saving, and commenting.

Reels that are too long might cause your audience to disengage and drop off. On the other hand, shorter Reels that people rewatch tell the algorithm that your content is valuable and can result in it being shown to new users.

So what is the best Reel length? It depends on finding the right balance between keeping viewers engaged and providing valuable content.

More on Eklipse Blog>>> 7 Tips to Make Your Reels Go Viral in 2023

How long are Instagram Reels in 2023?

Officially, Instagram allows recording of Reels from 15 to 90 seconds using their camera.

Setting up the length of your reels is simple:

1. Open Instagram and tap the “Reel” icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Select the camera icon at the top of the screen to reach your Instagram camera.
3. On the left side of the screen, tap on the icon indicating time (default: 30 seconds).
4. Then choose between 15, 30, and 60 seconds.
5. Once you’ve selected your time limit, you’re ready to start recording and editing your reel.

More on Eklipse Blog>>> Instagram Reels Tutorial: 11 Editing Tips You Should Know

What’s the best Instagram Reel length for reach and engagement?

Although there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to ideal reel lengths in terms of seconds; however certain general guidelines suggest optimal results based on industry trends:

1. Shorter reels tend to loop more frequently which increases view count.
2. Longer reels could be beneficial based on niche market preferences but should have engaging content throughout its duration.
3. The key moment with reels happens within the first few seconds – hooking viewers from the beginning is crucial.
4. It’s good practice to stick between 7-15 seconds as short reels tend to loop more frequently which may help push up view count due to multiple views recorded by the same user.

Conclusion

Remember that no matter its duration – if it’s good content then people will continue watching; leading increased engagement which pushes content across more users’ feeds hence benefitting overall reach!

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