Instagram finally allows users to download Reels
In a recent announcement made by Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri, the popular social media platform has unveiled an exciting new feature that enables users to finally download Reels. Currently, this functionality is exclusively available to users within the United States on mobile devices, with plans for expansion in the future. However, it's important to note that Reels can only be downloaded from public accounts, as private accounts are not included in this feature, and to ensure privacy and control over their content, Instagram allows public account users to block others from downloading their Reels.
To download a Reel, users simply need to tap on the "Share" icon and select the "Download" option. Once downloaded, Reels will be watermarked with the Instagram logo and the account name, adopting a similar approach to TikTok's watermarking strategy. YouTube has also followed suit by implementing watermarks on its Shorts videos to draw attention to its own short video feature.
However, it's worth noting that Instagram's algorithms no longer actively promote watermarked videos from rival platforms (so theoretically, it shouldn't be very common to see many videos with hundreds of watermarks from different platforms that have been re-uploaded to different social networks hundreds of times). While the platform does allow the upload of TikTok and other similar videos, Instagram doesn't want to prioritize their promotion. This change was implemented in 2021, signifying a shift in Instagram's strategy to focus more on native content. Despite this, the ability to download Reels showcases Instagram's commitment to enhancing user experience and providing new ways to engage with its rapidly growing community of content creators and viewers. There are already thousands of third-party apps available in the market that allow users downloading Reels (and other types of social media content), many ot them you can find them on AlternativeTo. However, this official implementation should streamline the process for users who don't mind having a watermark floating in their downloaded videos.
