Should you go for a story or make a reel from your latest video content? Which will get more engagement, or be relevant for longer?
When choosing between an Instagram story vs reels, there are a few key things to think about.
Let’s dive in and try to untangle the dilemma.
What Is the Difference Between an Instagram Story and Reels?
To get into the nitty-gritty of the Instagram story vs reel comparison, we need to know the differences between the two.
They are both video-sharing features, but while reels are designed and intended specifically for videos, stories can include still images as well as posts from the Instagram feed.
IG Stories vs Reels – Format Differences
- Duration — each clip in stories can be up to 15 seconds long, and users can string together multiple clips to tell a longer story. So, this is the first major difference between an IG story and a reel — the latter can be up to 90 seconds in total length.
- Longevity — unlike Instagram stories, whose popularity is partly due to their limited shelf life, reels do not disappear after 24 hours. Instead, they are housed in a dedicated tab on your profile. This makes it easier for people to find and watch them, extending their lifespan.
- Hashtags and captions — you can add a full caption to your reel — just as you would on an Instagram feed post — and up to 30 hashtags. On stories, there is no caption, and hashtags are limited to 10 per story.
- Editing — the Instagram reels editor is a powerful tool for creating engaging video content. In addition to the standard features for filming and editing, it offers the option to slow down or speed up clips, trim content, and align or “stitch” videos together for smooth transitions — all of which are not available with stories. So, when we compare IG stories vs reels, with the latter, you get more control over the final product.
- Sound — it is pretty important for both formats. With reels, users can select a music track to use from the library or record their own audio. They can also use someone else’s audio in their reel — a feature many will recognize from TikTok — which cannot be done in stories. That said, you can still add music to your Instagram story.
Instagram Story vs Reel – Choosing What to Use
Now that you know how both types of Instagram content differ, you likely have a better idea of what to use. Still, we’ll help you along further by looking at some use cases.
When to Choose an Instagram Story vs Reels
Instagram stories, are primarily seen by those who already follow and know you. So, connection-based and trust-building content is great here in order to continue to nurture your relationship.
Also, because your stories’ audience is likely to be a lot warmer and further along the customer journey (provided you’ve been showing up and nurturing the relationship), promotional content is likely to perform better here than in reels.
Then, if we look at Instagram stories vs reels in terms of engagement, the former are a win. If you want to interact with your audience, get their opinion on a product, or even get them to play a game, stories are the way to go, given that they come with features such as reaction emojis and polls.
Where Instagram stories could do better is reach — if you’re targeting a wider audience, you might be better off with reels or even good old-school posts.
Learn more: Instagram Story vs Post
When to Choose a Reel over an Instagram Story
Reels are all about discovery. Because they appear in the Explore feed, they have the potential to reach a whole new audience. So if you’re looking to grow your following and build brand awareness, Reels are the clear winner in the Instagram story vs reels battle.
That said, since your audience will be colder and at the beginning of the funnel, you’ll want to focus on creating educational or entertaining content that will pique their interest and get them interested in learning more about your brand. That means bite-sized tips, value-packed content, and overviews of your business are all great options for top-of-funnel content.
Then, as noted above, since one major difference between a story and a reel is the latter’s editing features, you can use the speed tool to create slow-motion or time-lapse effects, which are ideal for showcasing a product.
The Takeaway
Ultimately, picking an Instagram story vs reels as your content of choice boils down to your goals — whether you want to interact with your current audience and cement their engagement with your brand, or if you want to spread your wings a bit a reach out to new followers/potential customers. Either way, a healthy mix of the two wouldn’t hurt, helping you cover all your bases.
