Hey there! Have you noticed how Instagram has become super popular since it first showed up in 2010? It’s like everyone’s favorite way to chat using awesome pictures and videos. What makes Instagram really cool is how it’s made just for our phones, fitting perfectly with all the gadgets we use every day. It’s a breeze to snap a high-quality photo and share it with the world.
But that’s not all – Instagram keeps getting better and better. They’ve been adding new stuff because we, the users, always want more fun and creative ways to talk with our friends and followers. But hey, it’s not always smooth sailing. Sometimes, Instagram makes us work a little harder to do what we want, like when we’re trying to post longer videos. Let’s dive into this and see what’s up with Instagram and these longer videos!
The Length of Instagram Videos
So, you’re probably wondering about the video lengths on Instagram, right? Well, Instagram has been stepping up its game to keep up with TikTok and YouTube. That means we get to shoot videos, share them on our profiles, send them in direct messages, and even post them to our Stories. But, there’s a catch – these videos have time limits. Let’s break it down:
- Instagram Live: You can go live for up to four hours! That’s a big jump from the previous one-hour limit.
- Instagram Stories: These quick clips can be up to 15 seconds long.
- Instagram Videos: On your feed, videos (which were known as IGTV up until October 2021) can be up to a whopping 60 minutes.
- Instagram Reels: These fun, short videos can now be up to 90 seconds, which is longer than the old 60-second limit.
Sometimes, these time limits can be a bit frustrating, especially when you’ve got more to share than the time allows.
Now, you might be thinking, “How can I share longer videos on Instagram?” Great question! While you can’t extend the preset limits for Reels, Live, or regular Videos, you can get creative with Stories to make them “seem” longer.
Let’s say you’ve got a pre-recorded video that’s just right for Reels’ 90-second limit – go ahead and post it there to make sure your whole video gets seen. But if your video is longer and you want to use Stories, here’s a cool trick: You can split your video into multiple 15-second clips (up to 100 of them!). They’ll play back-to-back with just a tiny pause in between, making it look like one long video. This way, you’ve got plenty of time to share your story within a 24-hour period.
How to Post Longer Instagram Stories Videos
Okay, so you’ve got this cool video, and you want to share it on Instagram Stories. But here’s the thing: Instagram Stories usually cut off after 15 seconds per clip. What if your video is longer? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
First off, Instagram will automatically slice your video into 15-second bits if it’s over the limit, but only up to a total of 60 seconds. Now, you might think, “That’s not enough for my awesome video!” Here’s a neat trick: use a third-party app to trim your video before uploading. This way, you control exactly how long each segment is. You could start with a 10-second clip, then go for a 15-second one, and keep going way past the 60-second mark.
And guess what? According to Mashable, you can post up to 100 of these Story segments in a day. That’s a lot of storytelling!
Even if Instagram says, “Hey, you only get 60 seconds,” you can keep adding more clips and segments. Instagram will play each piece one after the other, almost like magic.
A little heads-up: If you notice that your videos are a bit blurry or the transitions between clips are weird, it might be because of your internet speed or Instagram might still be working on publishing your story. When we tried splitting a long video and uploading it in segments using a third-party app, we noticed some blurriness at first. But don’t worry, it usually clears up, and your Story will play smoothly.
So there you have it – all the ways to make your Instagram Stories longer and keep your followers hooked!
#1 Upload Your Long Video to Instagram Stories Directly
Want to share a long video on Instagram Stories super fast? Here’s how you can do it directly in the app. But remember, Instagram has a catch – it only shows the first 60 seconds of your video, splitting it into those familiar 15-second chunks. So, you’ll only see the first minute of your video on your Story, which might not be what you want.
Here’s what you do: Open Instagram, and go to add your lengthy video to your Story. IG will automatically chop it into 15-second segments for you, but it stops at the 1-minute mark. That means anything beyond that gets left out.
A little warning: Sometimes this method can be a bit glitchy. For example, when we gave it a try on June 18, 2022, we hit a snag. After uploading the first 15-second clip, we got an error and couldn’t get to the next segment. So, keep in mind that this approach might not always work smoothly for everyone.
#2. Use Multiple Clips to Make Longer Instagram Stories
Got a super cool video that’s too long for just one Instagram Story? No problem! You can post it in smaller pieces to tell your whole story. This method lets you share videos longer than the usual 60-second limit.
There are tons of apps out there that can help you chop your video into perfect 15-second slices, and some even make sure your video looks great on Instagram (like the right size and speed). If not, Instagram will do the tweaking for you. Here are some awesome apps to help you make longer Instagram Stories:
1. InShot (Android and iOS)
InShot is awesome because you can add fun stuff like stickers, transitions, and music to your video. It’s available for both Android and iPhone. Just edit your video in InShot and share it directly to your IG Story.
2. Story Cutter for Android
Story Cutter, made by Cubetix Private Photo Vault, is super easy and quick to use. Just pick your video, choose Instagram, and let it slice your video into segments. Then, share each piece to your Instagram Stories.
3. Split Video for iOS/iPhone
For iPhone users, Split Video by New Marketing Lab, Inc. is a great choice. It’s totally free and doesn’t have a lot of annoying ads.
4. CutStory for iOS
CutStory by LLC Sport Star Management is another cool app for iPhone. It has lots of editing options for your 15-second clips. It does add a watermark, but you can remove it by paying a small fee.
5. Continual for Instagram for iPhone
Continual for Instagram is a bit pricey at $7.99, but it’s worth it for iPhone users. It cuts your long videos into 15-second pieces for your Instagram Story.
6. StorySplitter for iPhone
StorySplitter is free (with a premium version for just $.99) and does a great job splitting videos into 15-second clips. It can’t do landscape videos and adds a watermark unless you upgrade, but it’s a solid free option.
7. Built-In Video Editors
Your phone’s video editor can also trim videos into 15-second segments. It’s a bit tricky, but with some patience, you can do it!
Uploading Your Clips to Instagram Stories
Here’s how you upload those clips to your Instagram Stories:
- Tap the “+” icon in the top-right section of Instagram.
- Choose “Story.”
- Select the video you want to add, or pick multiple videos and images by holding down one to select more.
- Tap “Next.”
- Choose “Separate” for videos and images, or “Layout” for just images.
- Your clips will show up at the bottom. Tap “Next” again.
- On the Share screen, make sure “Your Story” is checked, then hit “Share.”
When someone checks out your Story, they’ll see all your video pieces in the order you posted them. It’s not totally seamless, but it’s pretty close to what you wanted to show.
Method Three: Go Live
Ever notice how, when you watch Instagram Stories, they sometimes have a tiny jump between clips? That’s because even though they play one after another, they’re not completely seamless. Each clip is like a separate little story.
But what if you want your video to flow without any breaks, like one long, smooth story? Here’s a cool idea: Go live!
When you go live on Instagram, it’s like having your own show, right on your followers’ phones. And the best part? Your live video can be up to 4 hours long. That’s like watching a couple of movies back-to-back!
So, if you’ve got a story to tell that needs to be one big, uninterrupted video, Instagram Live is your go-to. Just hit that live button and start sharing your story with the world, no breaks, no jumps – just you and your story, live and direct!
In Conclusion: Navigating Instagram’s Time Limits
Instagram is all the rage because it’s the perfect place to show off your awesome photos and videos to your followers. But hey, we’ve all been there – you’ve got this amazing video that’s longer than a minute, and Instagram’s time rules are like a speed bump in your creative road.
When you want your video on your Instagram feed, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get creative. Squeezing all the excitement, quality, and engagement into just 15 seconds isn’t a piece of cake, but it’s doable.
So, go out there, make your video shine, and show the world what you’ve got in those quick, snappy Instagram moments!
