Instagram’s New TikTok-Like Option for Reels and How to Use It by Ben Givon
After the beta testing of the new Reels feature on certain users was completed, Instagram launched the brand new Remix option for Reels. This new feature allows users to add their personal take on to existing Reels clips, which can potentially help with creating and fueling content trends on Instagram. This novice option is hauntingly similar to TikTok’s Duets option, which was one of the main reasons the said app has skyrocketed to fame.
Remix in Reels makes it possible to create your own Reel alongside an existing one. The effective interaction with other users is enabled with this option, which makes it possible to capture your own reaction to other Reels, respond to your followers or just contribute to trends with your own touch of magic. It’s a little surprising that Instagram launched a feature so similar to TikTok, which basically adds the same options TikTok already has, creating new angles of the original upload.
This new feature is enabled by default for all new reels videos published from a public account. If you want to use the new option on some of your old reels, just tap on the three-dots and enable remixing by clicking on the button. In order to remix someone else’s reel, you can ask the other user to do the same. In addition to that, remix can be turned off at any time using Settings for all reels, or utilizing the three-dot menu for any reels individually.
The fact that this option is set by default for all new reels is great; it gives a variety of different clips to interact with. However, since you control this feature and you ultimately decide whether you want remixes enabled for all of your clips or only chosen ones, you can limit the usage of this feature on your account easily. When one of your reels does get remixed, you will receive a notification about it.
Instagram states that the user response was perceived as good so far, particularly in India where there was a ban placed on TikTok last year, which took away the possibility of using these tools on content. This suggests that, even if Reels doesn’t rise to fame in other regions like in India, this will still be a fertile ground for development, given that the indian audience is definitely a viable option and a solid confirmation needed for further growth. As for the other regions, if Instagram devotes time to implement additional features, like monetization tools and options, that can also help with diverting users from TikTok and keeping a larger number of video creators on the platform.
Recently, Instagram made offers to TikTok stars, prompting them to crossover to Reels instead and produce original, exclusive content. We can clearly notice the efforts of Instagram to redirect users from TikTok and enlarge Reels audiences. As a part of this push, Reels can serve as an additional channel for broadening IG branding and their effort to monetize the platform. Monetizing Reels is also in the works with plans to also share that particular revenue stream.
As for how to use the Remix option, Ben Givon has the scoop. On a side note, Remix will only be enabled by default on new Reels, so be sure to activate the feature, before choosing an older Reel to remix. These are the steps that will guide you through the new feature:
- Pick an interesting reel
- Select the “Remix this reel” option from the three-dot menu
- Clicking on this new option will split the screen in two, allowing you to see the chosen reel on one side of the screen and to record your new one on the other
- After recording, the audio control is also available, so you can adjust the volume, add voice overs etc. The slider icon edits volume and the microphone icon adds voice overs
- Lastly, edit the content as you desire and post the remixed Reel.
The update containing Remix is now available for both iOS and Android users, allowing for a more diverse and exciting approach to this novice feature added to one of the most popular social media platforms out there — Instagram.
