Wondering if you should be using Instagram Reels or Stories for your profile’s engagement? They both offer great opportunities to connect with your audience, but there are some key differences.
And if you want to create more engaging content on Instagram, you need to know the difference between Instagram reels vs story.
In this blog post, we will explore the pros and cons of each format and help you decide which one is best for you. If you want to take your social media marketing up a notch, keep reading to learn how.
Instagram Stories vs Instagram Reels: Which is Best for Your Needs?
There are many subtle differences between Instagram Reels and Stories that you should consider before deciding which one is best for you.
Reels are short, creative videos that are up to 60 seconds long, while stories can be up to 15 seconds long. They both vary in content, but stories are more about giving your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your day-to-day, while reels are more focused on creative content and Instagram ideas.
Key Differences Between Instagram Reels and Instagram Stories
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of each format let’s dive into the key differences between Instagram Reels and Stories. There are a few key things to consider when deciding which one is best for your Instagram profile.
Length: Reels are up to 60 seconds long, and Stories are only 15 seconds. This gives you more time to get your point across in a Reel, but Stories are more suited for quick, behind-the-scenes content.
Editing: Stories can be edited with filters, music, and other effects. Reels offer more in-depth editing features such as audio editing and AR effects, and video stitching.
Content: Reels are typically more creative and entertaining, while Stories are usually more personal and behind-the-scenes. It really depends on your brand and what kind of content you want to create.
Hashtags: You can only use permanent hashtags on Reels, up to 30 of them. This can help you to be discovered by new people if you use hashtags on your Reels. Story hashtags will disappear along with the story.
Time: Reels take longer to create than Stories, but they can be worth it if you want to create more engaging content. Stories are great for quick views.
Sharing: Both Reels and Stories can be shared to your feed and other platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Reach: People can view your Stories without following you, and the same with Reels. The difference is that followers often view Stories, and random people who land on your profile more often view Reels due to their display.
Saves: Reels can be saved to your camera roll, but Stories can only be viewed for 24 hours unless someone screen records it themselves.
Display: Reels appear in a dedicated space on your Instagram profile, while Stories appear as a circle next to your bio. Depending on how you want people to find your content, this can be positive or negative.
Caption: Reels offer a space for longer captions than Stories, up to the same amount of text as a traditional Instagram post. This can be helpful if you want to include more information about your product or service.
Audio: Reels allow you to add audio using music catalogs, which can be helpful if you want to include music or other sound effects. Reels have the added benefit of stringing together clips to keep your music playing continuously.
When it comes to business, both Instagram Reels and Stories can be great tools to help you boost engagement and reach a wider audience. But which one is best for your needs? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each:
The Pros and Cons of Instagram Reels
Reels are a great way to create engaging content that can reach a wide audience and new viewers. But there are a few downsides to consider before you start using them.
Pros:
- Gives you more options for editing
- Additional caption and video length
- Appear in a dedicated space on your profile
- Better for acquiring new followers
- Excellent for advertising and creativity
- Permanent content and hashtags
Cons:
- Take longer to create than Stories
- More difficult to edit than Stories
- Video-only content
The Pros and Cons of Instagram Stories
Stories are a great way to create quick, behind-the-scenes content for your current followers. Just note there are also a few downsides to consider before you start using them.
Pros:
- Perfect for quick, behind-the-scenes content
- Easier to create than Reels
- Excellent for quick engagement boosts
- Better for retaining existing followers
- Great for advertising and storytelling
- Video and picture content
Cons:
- Can only be viewed for 24 hours
- Only appear in the Story section
- Temporary content and hashtags
When to Use Instagram Reels vs Story
Now that you know the difference between Instagram Reels vs Stories and the pros and cons of each, you might be wondering when to use each one.
If you’re looking to create short content with little to no effort invested, Stories are the way to go. They can help boost your Instagram account’s engagement with consistent posts.
But if you want to create more in-depth content that can reach a wider audience, Reels are the better option. Reels are particularly helpful for showcasing your products, services, or other collections.
Still not sure which one to use? Try experimenting with both and see what works best for you!
How to Boost Engagement on Instagram
Now that you know the difference between Instagram reels and stories, it’s time to start using them to boost engagement on your Instagram account.
And we hope our Instagram reels vs story comparison helped you decide which is best for you. To learn more about how to boost Instagram engagement, check out our digital marketing section for more helpful tips!