IGTV: Instagram’s New Standalone App for Long-form Video
Hello, netizens! Have you checked out Instagram’s latest video platform? It’s already here. IGTV is a platform for both long-term and vertical videos on Instagram, and this app has been made available on the native Instagram app and has also been released as an individual IGTV app.
Here are the primary things you need to learn about IGTV; additionally, we will discuss a lot of topics about how IGTV functions, how to upload your videos to IGTV, and how effective this brand new platform is for you.
What is IGTV?
Just like Youtube, Instagram’s answer to the ever-growing popularity of online video platforms is IGTV.
IGTV has been developed to disrupt the traditional TV experience, as the number of teens addicted to TV has decreased by more than 40%.
By 2021 the mobile internet will account for 78% and IGTV wants to grab a huge pie in that.
After creating an IGTV channel on the Instagram account, anyone can share videos with their followers through this latest video add-ons.
At present, most accounts can upload videos for up to 10 mins and for the larger accounts, the duration can be extended to as long as 1 hour. But, sooner or later, there will be no time limit.
The main difference IGTV has drawn against YouTube is that it supports mainly vertical videos targeting the mobile-only audience, which is undeniably a great step for a mobile-only platform. And it is more convenient as Instagram has been successful in training everyone to record vertical videos through Instagram stories.
One can watch IGTV videos in the native Instagram app, in the latest IGTV app, or by clicking the IGTV button on someone’s Insta profile. If someone you follow, uploads a fresh video to IGTV, you’ll get notified in the Instagram app.
Instagram normally chooses videos for you by your interests and by who you are following, simultaneously you can also watch the trending videos on this popular channel. And similar to Insta stories, you can also share your IGTV videos with your friends through Instagram direct.
At present, there are no ads — yet. “Right now we’re focused on building engagement,” Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom has been recorded in a press conference after the launch. “But that’s obviously a very reasonable place to end up. There will be a way for creators to make a living.”
3 Things to Know About IGTV, Instagram’s New Standalone App
1) IGTV is Vertical Videos Only
Like we have always insisted on uploading vertical videos, you can also post horizontal videos but that’s not going to be the best experience.
Vertical video drives everyone to be creative, and unlike the pressure of creating great videos on camera, Vertical videos encourage you on your phone.
The vertical video also provides a better watch experience as you don’t have to rotate your phone or to be satisfied with a smaller version.
Encouraging you to record vertical videos is an ingenious move from Instagram, but social media managers did not buy this movie. Now, if you’re recording video content, you need to either record for two ratios or make sure that you can vertically crop the video. It signifies a lot of editing, and you cannot share the same video to all your social networks.
Video has turned out to be an increasingly demanding skill in social media marketing, and now with the arrival of IGTV, you must hone the art of video editing.
2) IGTV is like YouTube, Not Netflix
Though it’s true that you can upload 1 hour long videos on it but don’t expect to see your favorite TV series anytime soon on it.
The objective of IGTV is almost similar to YouTube but not like Netflix. IGTV wants users to follow or create their own vlogs or influencer channel bypassing the Hollywood elite.
Instagram’s IGTV is positioning itself to grab a strong pie of YouTube and Snapchat where they are attracting teen influencers like Bryce Xavier and Lele Pons over to IGTV and much prominent social media + YouTube influencers were present during the IGTV launch.
IGTV is focusing more on celebrities that made themselves famous mainly through the internet but not on any traditional media like TV, Radio, Stage performance, etc.
“The strategy is to let these influencers, who have a passion for this style of content and who already have sizeable Instagram followers, set the trend for what IGTV is about.”
This is good for businesses wanting to connect with the next-gen audience, who don’t want perfect but creative videos.
3) IGTV is an Addicting Mobile Experience
Every Instagrammer can create a separate IGTV channel and that is the place where your videos will get stored. (free from your regular Instagram bio + Instagram Stories Highlights).
Viewers can like, comment, and share each video just like they do with Facebook videos.
Right now, there are 3 IGTV categories
“For You” is a type of video that Instagram thinks you will like, collected from people you follow and Instagram’s own algorithm.
“Following” are videos from all the accounts that you are already following.
“Popular” are the videos mostly trending on IGTV, they are ranked based on popularity.
There’s a small hidden search bar that lets users search for videos, but Instagram is trying to bring you the best experience without your effort to search for the next videos.
Now as you have learned the basics of IGTV, it’s the perfect time to create your own IGTV channel and post your first video.
How to Create an IGTV Channel:
Before uploading your first video, you must create a channel, but the thing is that Instagram has made it super easy.
Step 1: Log in to the IGTV App
Step 2: Click on the gear settings icon in the right-hand corner, and then click on “create a channel”
So easy! Right? Now you’re up for posting your first video.
How to Upload Videos to IGTV:
Step 1: Access your new channel by clicking on your avatar from the main page
Step 2: Click the + icon in the right-hand corner to post a new video to IGTV
Step 3: Select a vertical video from your camera roll
Step 4: Write your title and add a description.
Similar to YouTube, you’d like to add any significant keywords to your description to make it easier for people to understand & find your videos on IGTV.
Step 5: Add a cover photo!
You can add a custom cover, or select an image from your video. The cover photo will be visible on your channel page and in the IGTV categories, so make it stylish!
Step 6: Click the post button and celebrate!
Congrats! You’ve successfully uploaded your first video to your IGTV channel. But it’s not finished yet: you must track and respond to the comments on your post and monitor your IGTV analytics.
Step 7: View Your IGTV Analytics
Click on the “…” button beside the like, comment, and share buttons on your IGTV video. Here you can click on “View Insights” or copy the link to your video (you can also delete your video here if you wish to).
If you click on “View Insights” you’ll be able to see your views, likes, and comments.
You can also see the rate of audience retention that how many people watched your video.