Key Takeaways

• Posting videos on Instagram can be done by uploading existing videos or creating new ones within the app.
• Instagram Reels have a max time limit of 90 seconds, shorter than TikTok’s, and can’t be downloaded from the app.
• You can’t see who viewed your Instagram videos but you can see who liked your video.

Videos on Instagram, also known as Reels, are one of the most popular types of content on the platform. But if you’re still relatively new to using videos on Instagram, here’s everything you need to know about creating them and finding your liked videos on the platform.

1 How Do You Post Videos on Instagram?

There are two main ways to post videos on Instagram: by uploading an existing video as a Reel or by recording your video using the Instagram app.

If you’re uploading a previously recorded video to Instagram, follow these steps:

1. Press the plus (+) icon to create a new post on Instagram. It doesn’t matter if you use the Post or Reel tab, Instagram will automatically convert your video to a Reel.
2. Select the video from your gallery. This will then take you to the video editing screen where you can tweak the video further.
3. When you are done applying edits, press the right-facing arrow to move onto the next step.
4. Enter your caption and relevant hashtags. You can also tag people and select where your video will appear on your profile.
5. When all the relevant information you want to include is added, tap Share to post your video.

If you want to make a new video in the Instagram app, use these steps:

1. Press the plus (+) icon to create a new post on Instagram. Make sure you switch to the Reel tab and select the Camera button.
2. Tap the center recording button to start and stop recording. You can also use the buttons on the left of the screen to add audio, effects, and other elements. When your clip is ready, tap Next.
3. The next screen allows you to edit your video further. You can add stickers, text, and more. For more granular control, tap the Edit video button to show more controls. When you are ready, press the Next button.
4. You can then add your caption and hashtags, tag the relevant people, and add a location if you want. After you’ve added all the information you want to include, tap Share.

Out of the two methods, I prefer to upload an already edited video to Instagram. I create short-form videos using Capcut and then post them to Instagram and other platforms, rather than editing within the Instagram app.

2 How Do You Save Instagram Videos?

Saving videos on Instagram is not the same as downloading them. Saving a video either adds it to your Saved posts or saves it to your drafts, depending on whether you’re viewing a video or uploading a video.

To save an Instagram video you are viewing, tap the three dots at the top right of the post and select Save. To view Saved posts and collections on Instagram, go to your profile, open your settings, and select Saved.

If you want to save a video draft on Instagram, make sure you’ve applied edits to a clip and press the back button. The app with then ask you if you want to save your draft—tap on the Save draft option. When you start creating a new post again, you can switch to your Drafts folder to start editing where you left off.

3 How Long Can Instagram Videos Be?

Instagram Reels have a maximum time limit of 90 seconds. This is something to keep in mind if you are using multiple platforms to upload your videos. While you can upload a 30-minute video to TikTok (with the app also testing 60-minute videos), you have a much shorter time limit on Instagram.

4 Can You Download Instagram Reels?

This is another area where TikTok and Instagram differ. You can’t download Instagram Reels using the app, whereas TikTok lets you download videos with a watermark if you want to share it.

You can use third-party apps to download Instagram videos, but these come with security risks as they are not official apps.

5 Can You See Who Viewed Your Instagram Videos?

Unlike seeing who viewed your Instagram Story, you can’t see who viewed your Instagram Reels and videos. The best way to tell if someone has seen your video is if they leave a like on the video.

Even if you have access to the Insights tool for creators, Instagram does not tell you who specifically viewed your video. Rather, it shows you how many views and likes you got on the video.

6 How Can You Find Your Liked Videos on Instagram?

If you want to revisit videos you’ve previously liked on Instagram, you can see your activity history on the app. To see your liked videos, open your profile and select the hamburger menu to access your settings. Next, select Your activity and on the next page select Likes.

On this page, you can view a grid of your liked posts. You can also unlike posts if you no longer want them saved in your activity. This is a useful way to find accounts whose content you like but which you may not have followed yet. It can also help you find shop items you have liked before.

Hopefully now all your questions about Instagram videos have been answered and you feel confident sharing and viewing videos on the platform.