Instagram wants in on 'long-form,' widescreen videos and its test begins now
What you need to know- Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri and its VP of product Tessa Lyons announced the platform's new venture into long-form, widescreen content called "Features."
- Mosseri was previously against it; however, Lyons states creators are "telling stories in many different ways now."
- "Features" will be Instagram's version of long-form content that is "symbiotic" with short-form (Reels), and is in testing for the mobile app and TV.
Instagram starts the week off with an announcement: widescreen, long-form content is headed to the platform.
Head of Instagram Adam Mosseri sat down with the platform's VP of product, Tessa Lyons, to discuss what "Features" is (via The Verge). According to their joint post on Instagram, "Features" is positioned as the app's investment in long-form content. Mosseri states in the video that "for a long time," he's been against this type of content on Instagram, but things have changed.
Lyons states, "creativity is so much more than just short-form video, or just posts and carousels." Part of why Instagram wants to introduce longer videos to the app now is because creators are telling stories "in so many different ways." However, Mosseri's original hesitation stemmed from not wanting to lose the "friend connection" aspect of Instagram.
With this push toward longer video-widescreen content-Mosseri states this needs to become "symbiotic" with short-form. Mosseri adds that this new format is headed to the app on your phone and its TV app, "but it's going to take a little bit of time."
What's more, Lyons says that Reels-shorter videos-will remain "at the core" of the platform. Another necessity with "Features" is seeing how it fits with the other types of content on Instagram, such as Live. Mosseri states that many of these features will roll out over the next month in testing. The platform intends to expand its availability to more people, so you may see it appear at some point if you're lucky.
Mosser states, "It's early, and we're testing and listening to feedback as we go. "
A long way to goA post shared by Adam Mosseri (@mosseri)
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Instagram for TV is an interesting bit of the platform's history. It was announced late in 2025 as Amazon teamed up with Meta for its Fire TV. The experience was similar to your phone... except it's on a much larger screen (and in your living room). Users can sign in to up to five accounts and begin scrolling. Instagram for TV primarily focuses on Reels, so you won't see many posts as you typically would on your phone.
What's curious is that Mosseri mentioned this in the video with Tessa Lyons. Users watching Reels on their TV meant that it was being shared less. He states that it led to fewer likes, fewer mentions, and more. You and your friends or loved ones all in one room watching. There's no need to share, right? That's going to remain at the forefront of "Features" as Instagram continues to test long-form, widescreen content on the platform.