Instagram has taken another step towards competing with YouTube by beginning to test a new feature that allows users to post videos up to 90 minutes long.
The Meta-owned photo and video-sharing platform has named the new format “Features.” Under this format, selected creators will be able to post horizontal videos of up to 90 minutes on Instagram.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri and Vice President of Product Tessa Lyons announced the new format through a video on October 26, 2026.
According to Tessa Lyons, many creators produce long-form content that they divide into shorter clips to share on Instagram and reach a wider audience.
She said Reels would remain an important part of Instagram, but the platform was also seeking to give users the opportunity to watch longer and more detailed content from their favourite creators.
The new format will allow creators to share podcasts, interviews, comedy shows and other long-form videos on Instagram.
Creators will also be able to link short Reels to full-length videos, allowing viewers to access the complete content after watching a short clip.
Instagram aims to encourage users to spend more time on its app instead of turning to other platforms to watch longer videos.
The new format focuses on horizontal videos, which are also planned to be accessible through Instagram’s TV app in addition to mobile phones.
The long-video feature was initially tested with selected creators in Brazil. Testing on a limited basis in the United States also began on October 26.
The feature is not yet available to all users, and Instagram has not announced a definitive date for its wider global rollout.
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