Instagram is testing a way to create a reel using the format for other posts

According to a report from Insider (via TechCrunch), Instagram is testing a new feature called Templates that will let creators create reels by borrowing formats from other videos on the platform. The feature is somewhat similar to TikTok's own template tool, which allows creators to drop their content into a premade sequence.

Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi saw an initial version of the template in January, while marketing manager and influencer Josephine Hill has already experienced the feature. In a screenshot posted by Hill in March, it looks like users can swap their own clips into preset frames, as well as add their own audio. This could save users from using third-party templates from sites like Canva, or closely following online tutorials to get a specific format, something Hill told Insider.

"We're always working on new ways to make getting on the reels easier," a Meta spokesperson said in a statement to Insider. "We are testing the ability to build a reel for you using an existing template from another reel." Instagram also told Insider that it is currently testing the feature with a small group of users. The Verge reached out to Instagram with a request for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

The test comes as Instagram attempts to attract more creators to the reels, and addresses one of its biggest problems: TikTok reposts. Last year, Instagram said it would stop promoting reposts with a TikTok watermark, and earlier this week, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri announced that reducing reposts would make the platform even harder. . Putting templates into the mix can make it easier to create videos on the reels and encourage the creation of more original content.