How to Make an Instagram Video

Introduced in 2021, Instagram videos replaced IGTV as the go-to means of publishing long-form content. This article lays out how to start making videos for Instagram that will satisfy your current audience and increase your followers.

In October 2021, Instagram combined IGTV and Feed videos into Instagram videos to create a more straightforward video experience. You no longer have to worry about whether a video is short or long and wonder where to post it. Finding videos is easy with a quick tap to the Video tab under your user profile.

The update simplified the video creation process as well and added filters, video trimming, and fast tagging. And fortunately, the posting process remained just as easy with a click or tap to the + symbol on the top-right corner of the screen.

Previews

Previews also changed with the new format by extending to one minute. However, if the video is eligible for ads, the old 15-second rule applies. Users can also tap anywhere on a video to expand it to full-screen mode. They also have the option to continue scrolling, so make sure your preview is interesting – more on that below!

Analytics

The development team at Instagram also updated their analytics platform by merging video insights and feed post insights into one metric. Businesses should note that the old IGTV ads are now called Instagram In-Stream video ads.

We dig deeper into the specifics below to teach you how to make an Instagram video. Our guide includes optimal content tips, instructions on how to upload, where to source your video ideas, scheduling, and more. But for now, here are the basic requirements and recommendations for posting a video on Instagram.

Resolution and size

• Video aspect ratios must be between 1.91:1 and 9:16.

• Shoot for a minimum frame rate of 30 FPS (frames per second) with 720 pixels as your resolution.

• The max file size for videos that are 10 minutes or less is 650 MB and 3.6 GB for videos up to 60 minutes.

• Instagram recommends 420px by 654px (or 1:1.55 ratio) as the size for your cover photos. And as of now, you cannot edit your cover photo after you've uploaded it, so be sure it’s correct before posting.

Additional tech specs

Video codec

• Progressive scan (no interlacing)

• High profile

• 2 consecutive B frames

• Closed GOP, GOP of half the frame rate

• CABAC

• Chroma subsampling: 4:2:0

Audio codec

• Channels: Stereo or Stereo + 5.1

• Sample rate 96 kHz or 48 kHz

Cover photo file format

• PNG or JPG

Content

All videos must follow Instagram’s Community Guidelines, or the video could be taken down. The platform has a reporting system that works relatively fast.

Read Instagram’s Community Guidelines

The process for creating an Instagram video is relative to your feed. Some successful accounts use more traditional shooting and editing techniques with tripods and green screens, while others take things into the wild with no stabilization and little editing.

We won’t tell you exactly how you should create your videos as new trends and techniques emerge literally every day. However, there are some key guidelines you should follow to create a successful Instagram account. You don’t need a professional studio or CGI to be successful on the platform if you follow these recommendations.

Hook viewers from the start

On Instagram, you have about three seconds before a user will scroll past your video if it doesn’t catch their eye. It’s essential to provide engaging content to prevent that from happening.

You can use teasers, visuals, something wacky, and more, to attract attention – the possibilities are endless. But you must present something that’s appealing. Captions are another solid option!

Create videos for a mobile platform

Whether you’re looking to become an influencer or advertising your business – or both! – it’s important to understand your platform. It’s possible to surf Instagram from the web, but most users are looking at videos on their phone. That means you need to shoot your videos for the platform.

Vertical orientation is the norm for Instagram and short videos in general. However, if your brand has more long-form content, it’s possible to fall into the horizontal video niche. But your content better be amazing so viewers are willing to tilt their phone.

Showcase valuable content

If you want to keep viewers from scrolling past your video, it must be worth their time. We’ll provide some ideas in the section below. But it’s up to you to figure out how to captivate your audience and keep their attention.

Regardless, keep it simple and succinctly fill in the statement, “When someone watches this video they will [laugh, cry, know how to bake a cake, be informed about ‘X’, etc…].”

Make use of captions along with sound

There’s a wide range of data regarding exactly how many people watch videos, stories, etc. without sound. But the fact is that a large percentage of people are doing it. Users catch up on Instagram on public transit and even at work or school, so naturally, they cut the sound so as not to disturb others – or get caught!

Obviously, you want to include enhanced sound in your videos, but be sure to include captions to make them accessible to everyone, including the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. You can use timed text to add captions manually, and you can use tools like copy.ai for auto-generation.

Keep posting and then post some more

The only way to grow your audience on Instagram is to feed them content on the regular. If you’re looking at making Instagram videos, you’re most likely thinking long-form content. If that’s the case, then you definitely need to keep a steady flow of fresh content to build your viewership.

Scheduling and creating a series will help, and we cover that below. But first, let’s look at how to upload your videos.

After creating your video, there are a few ways to upload it to the platform. Review the steps below to learn how to post an Instagram video.

1. Download and create an Instagram account if you haven’t already. Then, open the mobile app and log in.

2. From either the home screen or your profile, tap the + (plus) symbol located on the top-right corner of your screen.

3. The New post screen defaults to Post at the bottom, but be sure that’s your selection if you want to post a long-form video as the other formats have more strict time limitations.

4. Scroll through your library and select the video you want to post. It’s not possible to post multiple videos in one post, like with images.

5. The next screen allows you to add filters or edit your video directly within Instagram. You can crop and trim and adjust the brightness and saturation. Tap Done to move to the next screen.

6. On the last window, you can add a location, text captions, tag other accounts, and sync your post to other platforms, like Twitter and Facebook.

7. Last, tap Share in the upper-right corner to make the post go live.

Previously, you couldn’t add long-form IGTV videos using this method. But with the IGTV/feed video merge, it’s now possible to post a longer video this way.

1. Navigate to the Instagram site on any internet browser and log in to your account.

2. Click the + (plus) button on the left side of the screen. A pop-up window will appear.

3. You can drag and drop your video into the window. Or you can click the Select from computer button and find your video on your hard drive. Click Next when you’ve selected your video.

4. Follow the steps from the previous section to edit and adjust and add captions and a location.

5. Click Share when done to post.

This option allows you to convert your desktop browser into a mobile browser for uploading videos as you would on a mobile device. It only works on Google Chrome.

1. In Google Chrome, open a tab and go to the Instagram site.

2. Click the three vertical dots on the top-right corner of your window.

3. In the dropdown menu, hover over More tools and then select Developer Tools from the menu that appears.

4. A developer console will appear on the right side of the window. On the top menu bar of the console, click the Toggle Device Toolbar button. It’s the symbol second from the left and looks like stacked outlines of a mobile device and tablet.

5. A menu bar will appear at the top of the left browser window. Click Responsive and choose your preferred mobile device from the menu.

6. Refresh your browser.

7. You can now use Instagram as you would on a mobile device. From here, follow the steps from the first section to post your video.

Instagram Creator Studio is available to anyone with a business or creator account. Both account styles are free and work best for anyone posting content on the regular. Follow these instructions to link your Instagram account and post with Creator Studio.

1. Open a browser and go to the Creator Studio site.

2. At the top center of the screen, you’ll see the Facebook and Instagram symbols. Click the Instagram button.

3. Click the Connect your account button and log in to your Instagram account.

4. After you log in, select the green Create Post button on the top left of the window, and then choose Instagram Feed.

5. From here, you can drag-and-drop videos into the window. Or you can click From file upload to browse and upload a video from your hard drive. You can also select From your Page to create a video using existing content from both Instagram and Facebook.

6. Edit, add captions and locations and click the blue Publish button on the bottom right of your screen. You can also click the dropdown button next to Publish to schedule a post – more on that later – or save your video to edit later.

Adding a video to create a series on Instagram is simple. Follow these instructions to make it happen.

1. In the mobile application, tap on your profile picture on the bottom right.

2. Just below your Story Highlights, tap the Videos symbol in the middle. It’s a film clapper with a Play symbol in the middle.

3. Tap the video you want to add to your series.

4. Tap the three dots symbol – vertical for an Android phone, horizontal for an iPhone.

5. Tap Edit and then Add to Series.

6. From here, you can add a video to a previous series or click Create a series to start a new one.