Instagram has introduced a new playback speed option for Reels, allowing users to fast-forward videos at 2x speed by long-pressing on the right or left side of their screen. The feature closely resembles a similar function on TikTok, which has offered playback speed controls for some time.
The move is the latest in a series of updates that bring Instagram’s short-form video platform closer to its main competitor. When Reels first launched, videos were capped at 15 seconds. That limit has since expanded to three minutes, mirroring TikTok’s approach to longer content. The fast-forward option gives users a way to consume these extended videos more quickly, increasing the likelihood that they’ll watch until the end.
Short-form content has reshaped how people engage with videos, with many platforms adjusting their features to match changing viewing habits.
This isn’t the first time Instagram has borrowed from its rival. Features such as Remix, which allows users to create side-by-side reaction videos, were directly inspired by TikTok’s Duet tool.
