Everything You Need to Know About How to Post Long Videos on Instagram

It looks like users are starting to shift their focus back towards long-form content. A few years ago, bite-sized video clips were all the rage. Now, though, it seems like viewers are looking for something longer that offers a lot more value. Don't get us wrong—you shouldn't stop posting short clips entirely. But if you take the time to create a couple-minute video, you might find it's worth it in the end. 

Understanding how to post long videos on Instagram is extremely important if you want to attract a wider audience. Furthermore, it’s a great chance to give your storytelling skills a little boost. Sounds like an amazing plan? Then here’s the only guide you’ll ever need. 

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How Long Are Instagram Videos?

• Instagram Feed Posts: Up to 60 minutes when posting from mobile devices
• Instagram Reels: You can record one or multiple clips that add up to 3 minutes
• Instagram Stories: Up to 60 seconds per Story
• Instagram Live: Maximum of 4 hours of continuous streaming (a great option for those who do not want to make a 10 minute video)

How to Upload Long Video to Instagram

It's pretty simple to upload longer videos to your Instagram feed, but it does require some detail. 

Here's a comprehensive guide to ensure successful uploads:

1. Open your Instagram app and tap the '+' icon.
2. Select 'Post' at the bottom of the screen.
3. Choose your video from the gallery.
4. Edit the video using Instagram's built-in tools.
5. Add your caption and customize sharing settings.
6. Tap 'Share' to publish.

Quick Tip:Keep captions concise yet engaging, and use hashtags to boost discoverability. If your video has key highlights, mention them in the first two lines of the caption to grab attention quickly.

Important Things to Remember

Just a heads-up: When you're uploading longer videos to your feed, remember they have to be:

• Under 60 minutes in length for mobile uploads
• In a supported format (MP4 recommended)
• Within Instagram's file size limitations

The Art of Creating Longer Videos for Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories have a 60-second limit per segment, but you can actually share longer content by splitting it into multiple story segments. 

How Can I Post a Long Video on Instagram Stories?

If your video is longer than the full 1 minute, Instagram will automatically split it into segments. For the best results, though, think about:

• Keep the story moving between segments.
• Use a similar look throughout.
• Add connecting elements between parts.

How to Use Instagram Reels for Longer Videos

Although they were originally made for short videos, Instagram Reels now allow you to share videos up to 180 seconds long, which is another great way to share longer videos. 

Creating the Best Possible Reels

If you want to get more engagement from your longer Reels, you should:

• Get your message across right away with an attention-grabbing hook in the first 3 seconds. 
• Make use of trending audio when it's relevant. 
• Keep the pace moving with quick editing. 
• Don't forget to include captions to make your content accessible.

Quick Tip: Always end your Reels with a CTA that aligns with your video goal—whether it’s to follow your page, visit a link, or leave a comment.

Live Feature for Long Video on Instagram

Not ready to jump into a full 5 minute video or even 2 minute video? Instagram Live might be your best bet. It lets you go as long as you want, up to 4 hours of non-stop streaming!

Plan Out Your Live Stream

To make sure our long-form live sessions are a success:

• Test your internet connection, before you get started. 
• Prepare an outline of topics to cover.
• Save the video so you can watch it later. 
• Engage with comments and get a feel for what's being discussed.

Lifehack: Encourage your audience to ask questions in advance so you can create a Q&A section in your Live that keeps viewers hooked.

Let’s Get Techy

Knowing your way around the technical specs is essential to getting your videos up there, especially when trying to find out “What is the longest video you can post on Instagram post?”.

Video Specifications

• Format: MP4 (recommended)
• Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (square), 16:9 (horizontal), or 4:5 (vertical)
• Frame Rate: 30fps recommended
• Bitrate: 3500 kbps for 1080p

A Few Advanced Tips

Timing and Positioning Are Key

• Start your video with something that will grab the viewer's attention. 
• Put your most important content in the first 30 seconds or so, as people tend to lose interest after that. 
• You can find out the best times to post for your particular audience using Instagram Insights.

The Structure of Storytelling

• Split your longer videos into shorter, more focused segments with a clear beginning, middle, and end. 
• Each part of the video should keep your viewers interested while they get ready for your main message or call to action. 
• Use natural transitions between segments to keep viewers engaged from start to finish.

Enhance the Visual Appearance of Your Videos

Is there a way to post a long video on Instagram without visually enhancing it? Even if you managed to maintain high production quality throughout the clip with good lighting and clear audio (which is quite challenging to do even in a 4 minute video), you might still benefit from a few extras. 

For instance, you can use dynamic visual elements like text overlays, graphics, or transitions to make longer sections of the video more interesting. Also, make sure that your thumbnail is eye-catching and accurately represents the video content.

Optimizing Engagement

• Add some clear calls to action throughout the video, not just at the end. 
• Get viewers involved by asking questions or inviting comments at key moments. 
• Use captions so that your content is available to viewers who are watching with sound off. This can really increase watch time.

Quick Tip: Use Instagram’s question or poll stickers in Stories to invite immediate feedback or start a conversation, boosting interaction.

Take Advantage of Cross-Promotion 

• Share previews or teasers of your longer videos in Stories to get people excited about your main posts. 
• Make sure the content you create is relevant to your longer videos so people keep coming back for more. 
• Think about turning your most popular long-form videos into shorter clips for Reels or Stories.

Analyze and Tweak

• Keep a close eye on your video performance metrics, especially audience retention rates and engagement patterns.  
• Use these insights to make your content strategy even better and to get the most out of your future videos. 
• Test out different lengths and styles to see what your audience likes best.

Mix Things Up from Time to Time 

Switch up your video styles to hold your audience's interest over time. Try alternating between different types of content, like tutorials, behind-the-scenes footage, or storytelling pieces. This variety helps keep things fresh and engages different parts of your audience.

When to Post a Long Video on Instagram?

• Videos longer than 90 seconds tend to do well on weekdays between 11 AM and 2 PM. This is a great time to share business related content as professionals often check social media during lunch breaks. One more tip: avoid posting during typical commute hours (8-9AM and 5-6 PM) as viewers are less likely to commit to watching longer videos during these busy periods.
• As a general rule, new content on Instagram is visible for about two days. So, it's worth posting longer videos when your engagement rate is at its highest to get the most views and interactions right away. Use your account analytics to find the best time to post.
• Think about how user behavior changes with the seasons. In the summer, people are usually outside more, so there's less engagement, while in the winter, people are often inside more, so you'll see higher engagement. Holiday periods, too, can really impact how people consume content.

Is It Better to Post Long Video to Instagram or YouTube?

Content Characteristics 

Instagram is preferable when your video content:

• Has a strong visual appeal that works well with Instagram's aesthetics
• Can be effectively previewed in shorter segments
• Benefits from cross-promotion across Stories and Reels
• Contains lifestyle, behind-the-scenes, or personality-driven content
• Requires immediate viewer interaction or response

Time-Sensitive Content 

Post on Instagram rather than YouTube when:

• Content is tied to current trends or events
• You need rapid distribution and visibility
• The information has a short shelf-life
• You're responding to audience questions or feedback
• You want to capitalize on trending topics or hashtags

Content Distribution Goals 

Choose to post a long video on Instagram over YouTube when:

• You want to leverage Instagram's algorithm for discovery
• Your content performs well with Instagram's demographic
• You need integrated marketing across posts, Stories, and Reels
• You want to maintain consistent brand visibility
• Your content benefits from Instagram's visual-first platform

Time and Resource Efficiency 

Instagram is more efficient when:

• You need to produce and publish content quickly
• You want to test content performance with less production investment
• You're managing multiple content formats on one platform
• You need to maintain regular posting schedules
• Your resources are limited for video production

Platform-Specific Features 

Post long video to Instagram when you want to take advantage of:

• Direct messaging for audience interaction
• Story highlights for content organization
• Shopping tags and product links
• Cross-posting to Facebook
• Instagram's native editing tools

Competitive Advantage 

Choose Instagram over YouTube when:

• Your competitors are primarily YouTube-focused
• You can offer unique value on Instagram
• Your content stands out in Instagram's format
• You can leverage Instagram's niche communities
• You want to build a distinctive brand presence

With all that being said, remember that these platforms aren't mutually exclusive.

Create Stunning Long-Form Videos with BigMotion

Are you looking to make your video content creation process more efficient? BigMotion has an AI-powered solution that can help you create engaging, professional-quality videos for Instagram with minimal effort. Our platform handles everything from scriptwriting to animation, including captions, voiceovers, and music.

With BigMotion, you can:

• Generate unique videos in any niche
• Add high-quality AI voiceovers powered by ElevenLabs
• Include auto-generated captions for better engagement
• Create content of various lengths suitable for all Instagram formats
• Save time with automated video creation

Give BigMotion's free plan a try today and see how it can help you revamp your Instagram video content strategy!