Instagram Reels to bring TikTok-like template feature

Meta-owned photo sharing app Instagram is reportedly testing a new feature that will bring templates for Reels, allowing creators to make reels in the preset format as other videos. The ‘Templates’ tool feature is currently being rolled out for a few beta testers only. The new feature will be similar to the ‘Templates’ feature in TikTok, that will allow users to plug their own photos or videos in a preset format. This format was first spotted by marketing manager and social media influencer Josephine Hill. She got early access to the feature and shared some of her impressions in March.

Speaking to Business Insider she said, “One thing that I’ve been looking for, particularly with Instagram Reels, was something that resembles TikTok’s audio sync where the clips line up perfectly to the beat of the music.” She tweeted, “Instagram REELS announced a new feature! 'Use as template' allows users to replace the clips with your own and it will match the time stamps of the template reel.”

Not only Hill, but a Meta spokesperson has also confirmed the same. He was quoted by TechCrunch as saying, “We are testing the ability for you to make a reel using an existing Template from another reel.”

Instagram Reels was introduced in 2020 after TikTok videos took the internet by storm. The concept of Reels itself was inspired from TikTok and hence it offers several similar features like Remix, the ability to respond to comments with Reels, and more.

Once the template feature is rolled out, users will be able to copy formats used in other Reels and create their own, similar to TikTok's pre-made templates that lets users drop in their own content in the preset format. The selected beta testers who have access to this feature can tap "Use Template" while creating a Reel, and then replicate a specific Reel.