Instagram tests 90-minute video uploads for podcasts in major long-form push

Instagram is testing new capabilities aimed at broadening its role within digital entertainment, including support for long-form video content such as podcasts.

On Monday, the platform announced it has initiated trials allowing video uploads of up to 90 minutes with select content creators in the United States.

The tool, dubbed Features, is tailored for podcasters, comedians, and other long-form creators, enabling them to direct users to complete videos straight from short-form Reels, which generally span three minutes or less, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.

“What you’re now going to be able to do is, you see a clip of a podcast that you love, you can just click and continue watching or watch the full video, and you’ll be able to dive in and see the whole thing because creators are going to be able to link these Reels to their overall feature,” said Tessa Lyons, Vice President of Product at Instagram.

Instagram previously piloted the tool among creators in Brazil and intends to roll out access to tens of thousands of creators across the U.S. The long-form uploads will also be featured within recommended content on Instagram’s Explore tab and other sections of the application.

Initial creators participating in the test phase include podcast host and Skims co-founder Emma Grede; beauty and fashion creator Monet McMichael; Preston Rakovsky, who produces street interviews on relationships in New York; and football content creator Donald De La Haye.

While Features is currently accessible on mobile devices, the long-term plan involves extending the viewing ecosystem to the Instagram for TV application. The television app launched last year across Samsung, Fire TV, and Google TV platforms, and is now expanding to Apple TV within the U.S. as part of Meta's wider push into long-form digital entertainment.

ANI