Instagram is considering long-form video, says platform head Adam Mosseri

Instagram is setting its sights on long-form video content, as revealed by platform head Adam Mosseri. The social media giant has been spotted testing its TV app on Amazon Fire TV, currently featuring Reels, but is lacking the extensive video offerings typically found on platforms like YouTube. In a recent discussion with Semafor, Mosseri acknowledged the current emphasis on short-form content, distancing Instagram from YouTube's lengthy videos. However, he hinted at a potential shift, stating, "It might turn out that maybe we'll need premium content to work. It might be that we need long-form video." This exploration into longer content types seems to be a deliberate effort to cater to a big-screen audience. The company is contemplating the implications of entering a market it has previously chosen to avoid. Furthermore, Mosseri indicated that subscription-based models could emerge as new revenue streams, following the success of creator-driven premium content based on monthly fees. Interestingly, Instagram had ventured into long-form content with IGTV in 2018, but the feature was sidelined in 2022 as Reels surged in popularity. Now, as Instagram broadens its horizons into television and moves beyond mobile devices, it appears poised to revisit the long-form video landscape. Mosseri emphasized the company's readiness to experiment, stating, "We're going to learn a lot, I'm sure we'll get a bunch of things wrong, but we're gonna iterate quickly."