What is Reels?

Reels are short, vertical videos on Instagram and Facebook that can include music, effects and text, designed to be discovered by people beyond your followers.

Reels are one of the main ways Instagram and Facebook show content to new people. They appear in a dedicated Reels feed, on the Explore page and in regular feeds, which gives smaller accounts a real chance to be found. For many businesses, Reels are now a core part of growing an audience.

You can record directly in the app or upload edited video, then add audio, captions, stickers and a cover image. The maximum length and features change over time, so check the current options in the app. Shorter clips with a strong opening often hold attention best.

Grab attention in the first second with motion, a question or a bold statement. Add on-screen text, since many people watch without sound. Show your product in action or share a quick tip. Choose a clear cover image so the Reel looks good on your profile grid.

Example

A hair salon posts weekly Reels showing a quick before and after transformation set to a popular song.