After the ban of TikTok in the Indian app market last year, Instagram has been providing users with a similar platform called Instagram Reels. Reels allowed the users on Instagram to post small videos similar to that of TikTok. As the platform on Instagram continues to grow, however, they are now going to make a new update to Reels. Till now, global users on Instagram used TikTok to record the videos and then upload them to both the TikTok and Instagram Reels platforms. However, it seems that Instagram does not want that as it shows Reels as a secondary platform to TikTok.
As per the latest report, Instagram is making changes to its algorithm where if the user uploads any video on Reels with a TikTok watermark, it will not be recommended in Reels to the other users. Instagram will not be banning the video or removing it in any way, but they will no longer be promoting it on their platform. As per the official statement from an Instagram spokesperson, “We’re building on what we’ve learned from Explore to recommend fun and entertaining videos in places like the Reels tab and personalize the experience.
We are getting better at using ranking signals that help us predict whether people will find a reel entertaining and whether we should recommend it.” The change might turn out disappointing for customers but it was necessary for Instagram as it made TikTok more popular on their platform. Unless the TikTok videos do not have a watermark, Instagram will continue promoting it on their platform as well.