A TikTok-like algorithm and a streamlined interface aren’t the only changes coming to IGTV. Instagram announced today that its long-form video feature is forgoing its vertical-only format restriction.
IGTV launched almost a year ago with portrait orientation videos as a way to embrace watching long-form video content on smartphones, but that presented an obvious challenge for creators. Vertical video doesn’t scale well to services with many more viewers (YouTube) so cross-posting long-form video for audiences on other services wasn’t without compromise.
Instagram compares its IGTV video evolution to changes made since the basic photo sharing service first launched:
IGTV still faces other challenges that have been present since its launch last June, like letting creators easily monetize videos with advertising, but Instagram sounds committed to continuing to adapt the platform:
Video content from IGTV also recently got an exposure boost for Instagram users when a change to the timeline added previews for IGTV videos. IGTV videos can be explored in the Instagram app or viewed in the standalone IGTV app for iPhone.
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