In this article, we’ll take a look at the difference between TikTok and Reels. Is the new Instagram service worthy of attention?
This feature started working from the beginning of August 2020. The bottom line is that now social network users can download full-fledged videos with filters, masks and music overlaying 15 seconds long. The idea and presentation is as similar as possible to the functionality of TikTok. It may even seem that, to some extent, Instagram has stolen the idea of TikTok. Is it so for everyone to decide. Below are the important points by which you can independently decide what interests you more – a proven application or a new service on your familiar Instagram.
Key differences
Roller length
TikTok users shoot both short 15 second videos and longer ones of 3 minutes. Reels does not have such a choice and allows you to load material for no more than 15 seconds. However, it is unlikely that this difference can hinder the popularity of the content, top tiktoki go no more than 15 seconds.
It is immediately clear that Instagram is 100% interested in overtaking the new service.
Internal functionality
There are differences and they are quite tangible.
Of course, TikTok has a lot more different tools for working not only with video, but also with sound. So some features are completely missing from Reels. It’s also important to mention that by downloading Reels, you or anyone else won’t be able to duet or use Stitch like TikTok.
With these two features, bloggers and brands can integrate and increase assets and reach.
Algorithm of work
The For You section only shows what you are interested in. The Reels section on Instagram is a collection of everything in a row.
Here’s what content on TikTok depends on:
- videos you are actively interacting with;
- transitions to music, hashtags, masks and filters;
- settings for your device and personal profile: country, language and even device type.
All of this implies the uniqueness of your feed in this application. It will be adjusted as much as possible for you at a certain point in time.
There is no detailed information about Reels. You can only build hypotheses and assume its work process. Whether there is a connection between your content, geolocation and what you like is not yet clear. It’s quite easy to get millions of views on TikTok thanks to the algorithms. Reels has something similar, but again the process of getting views is still not very clear.
To get into the feed, you need to generate new ideas, not be afraid of experimenting with the format, and just be bolder in your decisions and actions regarding the content plan.
Analytics
To find out the analytical data of your account, you need to switch to the paid version – TikTok Pro. With complete information, you can target the right high-quality audience and create a more detailed portrait of your subscribers and shoot videos on sensitive topics.
As for Instagram Reels, there is no analytics.
Conclusions
At the moment, despite the active activity of Reels users, it is difficult to say anything about its usefulness, both for personal purposes and for commercial purposes. Test, try new formats and stay visible to your subscribers with a variety of content.
Basically, you can duplicate your videos on TikTok and Reels to check where and what’s best for your audience. Thus, you can try two sites at once. Of course, it is much more convenient to use an application with ready-made analytics for your audience. On the other hand, it is also interesting to build hypotheses about how Reels works and follow the comments, because it will attract to your video an audience that is completely unexpected for you, which may react to your content in a different way than you expected.
