Instagram Long-Form Video: Exciting 90-Minute Test Challenges YouTube
Instagram long-form video is getting a major upgrade. On October 26, 2026, Instagram announced a new video format called Features, allowing selected creators to upload horizontal videos lasting up to 90 minutes.
The new format could change how you watch podcasts, interviews, tutorials, and entertainment on Instagram. Instead of leaving the app to watch a complete episode on YouTube, you may be able to move directly from a short Reel to the full video.
But there is an important catch: Instagram Features is currently a limited test, not a worldwide release.
Here’s everything you need to know about how it works, who can access it, and whether it could become a serious YouTube competitor.
What Is Instagram's New Long-Form Video Feature?
Instagram Features is a new long-form video format that supports horizontal videos of up to 90 minutes. It is designed to help creators publish longer content while connecting those videos to Instagram Reels.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri and product vice president Tessa Lyons discussed the new format on October 26.
According to The Verge’s reporting, Instagram wants short videos and longer entertainment content to work together rather than compete.
This means you could discover a short podcast highlight in your Reels feed, open the complete episode, and continue watching within Instagram.
Key Features of Instagram's 90-Minute Videos
| Feature | Confirmed details |
|---|---|
| Product name | Instagram Features |
| Maximum video duration | 90 minutes |
| Video orientation | Horizontal / widescreen |
| Main content types | Podcasts, interviews, comedy and creator videos |
| Reels integration | Short Reels can link to longer Features |
| Availability | Selected creators in the US and Brazil |
| Global release date | Not announced |
| Monetization | No general Features ad-revenue-sharing program announced |
The biggest change isn’t simply longer videos. It’s the ability to connect short-form discovery with complete long-form content inside the same platform.
How Does Instagram Long-Form Video Work?
Instagram’s new format is designed around a simple idea: viewers often discover creators through short clips but want to watch more.
Features aims to make that transition easier.
1. Creators Upload Full-Length Horizontal Videos
Eligible creators participating in the test can upload videos up to 90 minutes long.
Unlike traditional vertical Reels, Features focuses on horizontal content, making it suitable for longer interviews, podcasts, documentaries, and other widescreen productions.
Reports indicate that Features can appear in Instagram’s main feed and Explore experience.
2. Short Reels Can Link to Complete Videos
This is one of the most important parts of the update.
Imagine watching a 45-second highlight from a technology podcast. If the creator has linked that Reel to a Feature, you can open the full conversation without searching for it on another platform.
According to Bloomberg’s reporting published by the Los Angeles Times, the new format is intended to give creators greater flexibility beyond the short clips commonly recommended through Reels.
For viewers, this creates a more convenient experience. For creators, it offers another way to turn short-video interest into longer viewing sessions.
3. Instagram Is Bringing Longer Videos to TV
Instagram’s expansion isn’t limited to smartphones.
Meta has been developing Instagram for TV, bringing Instagram content to larger screens.
In its official Instagram for TV announcement, Meta described its work on horizontal videos, longer creator content, episodic entertainment, and live viewing.
Instagram for TV has expanded across supported television platforms, and its October 26 rollout includes Apple TV in the United States.
Features is part of Instagram’s broader plan to make creator videos suitable for both mobile devices and television screens.
However, the availability of specific long-form TV features may differ during testing.
Instagram 90-Minute Video Release Date: Who Can Use It?
Instagram announced its expanded Features test on October 26, 2026.
Testing had already taken place with selected creators in Brazil. The company is now extending access to creators in the United States, with plans involving tens of thousands of participants.
According to TheWrap, the new option is being introduced to selected creators rather than every Instagram account.
Can You Upload 90-Minute Videos Right Now?
Not necessarily. The 90-minute Features upload option is restricted to creators included in the test.
Instagram has not announced a date when all users will receive access.
If you don’t see the option in your Instagram account, that does not automatically mean your app is outdated.
The rollout is controlled by Instagram, and there is no confirmed public method to activate Features on an account that hasn’t been selected.
Similarly, availability in Pakistan, the UK, or other markets has not been confirmed as a general release.
Instagram’s new long-form format brings it closer to YouTube, but the platforms still offer different creator experiences.
| Category | Instagram Features | YouTube |
|---|---|---|
| Long-form video | Up to 90 minutes in the current test | Established long-form publishing |
| Public access | Limited creator testing | Broad upload availability |
| Short-video discovery | Reels linked to Features | Shorts and related-video links |
| TV experience | Instagram for TV is expanding | Established YouTube TV applications |
| Creator monetization | No comparable general ad-revenue-sharing program announced | YouTube Partner Program |
| Main advantage | Existing Instagram social audience | Mature long-form creator ecosystem |
Why Instagram Could Challenge YouTube
Instagram already provides creators with ways to connect with audiences through Reels, Stories, profiles, and direct messages.
Now, longer videos could give those audiences more reasons to stay.
For example, a technology reviewer could publish a short smartphone comparison as a Reel and connect it to a complete video review.
That could reduce the need to send viewers to another website or application.
Why YouTube Still Has an Advantage
YouTube already has an established system for longer videos, audience discovery, television viewing, and creator earnings.
Its YouTube Partner Program gives eligible creators access to monetization opportunities, including advertising revenue sharing.
Instagram has not announced an equivalent general revenue-sharing system specifically for Features.
Therefore, the new format represents a significant competitive move, but it does not yet offer everything YouTube provides.
Will Instagram Pay Creators for Long-Form Videos?
One of the biggest questions is whether Instagram will pay creators to publish longer videos.
As of October 26, 2026, Instagram has not announced a general YouTube-style advertising revenue-sharing program for Features.
According to 9to5Google’s coverage, creator compensation remains an important difference between the two platforms.
Instagram is exploring arrangements with participating creators, while existing sponsorships and branded-content deals may continue to apply.
That means a creator could potentially earn money from sponsorships, but uploading a 90-minute video does not automatically guarantee payment from Instagram.
For creators considering the platform, this distinction matters.
What Other New Instagram Video Features Are Coming?
Features isn’t the only video product Instagram is testing.
The company is also exploring changes designed to make entertainment easier to discover.
Instagram Series
Instagram Series is an experimental format for organizing connected short videos into episodic content.
It could help creators publish stories, short dramas, and related episodes that viewers can watch in sequence.
Series is separate from Features: the former focuses on connected short episodes, while the latter supports longer individual videos.
Testing is underway in selected markets, including the United States, Mexico, and India.
Improved Instagram Live Discovery
Instagram is also experimenting with making live broadcasts easier to find.
This includes placing live content within video discovery experiences and recommending some broadcasts to people who don’t already follow the creator.
These changes are being tested separately from Features and are not yet globally available.
What Instagram's Long-Form Videos Mean for Users and Creators
For everyday users, the main advantage is convenience.
You may eventually be able to watch full interviews, educational videos, creator shows, and longer entertainment without leaving Instagram.
For content creators, Features opens up several possibilities:
Podcasters can connect short interview clips with complete conversations.
Tech reviewers can publish detailed demonstrations after sharing quick highlights.
Educators can present longer explanations and tutorials.
Comedians can share complete performances instead of short extracts.
Brands can connect short product promotions with more detailed demonstrations.
However, these are potential use cases, not guaranteed results.
More video duration does not automatically mean greater reach, more followers, or higher revenue.
Creators will still need valuable content and a reason for viewers to continue watching.
For readers interested in other developments across the industry, explore the latest technology coverage on maintenanc.me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Instagram allow 90-minute videos?
Yes, but only through its new Features format for selected creators in the current test. The option is not available to every Instagram account.
What is Instagram Features?
Instagram Features is a new format for horizontal long-form videos lasting up to 90 minutes. It can connect full-length content with shorter Reels.
When will Instagram long-form video launch worldwide?
Instagram has not announced an official worldwide release date as of October 26, 2026.
Can I upload 90-minute Instagram videos in Pakistan?
There is no confirmed general rollout for Pakistani users. The reported tests involve selected creators in Brazil and the United States.
Is Instagram Features replacing Reels?
No. Features is designed to complement Reels by allowing viewers to move from a short clip to a longer video.
Can Instagram creators earn money from Features?
Existing sponsorship arrangements and selected creator deals may apply, but Instagram has not announced a general YouTube-style ad-revenue-sharing program for Features.
Is Instagram Features better than YouTube?
It depends on what you need. Instagram could offer convenient discovery through Reels, while YouTube currently provides a more established long-form publishing and monetization system.
Final Thoughts
Instagram’s new long-form video format could become one of its most important creator-focused changes.
With 90-minute horizontal videos, linked Reels, and growing television support, Instagram is moving beyond its traditional short-video experience.
The opportunity is clear: creators could share longer stories with audiences they’ve already built.
But the feature remains in limited testing, creator payments are not equivalent to YouTube’s established system, and a worldwide release date has not been announced.
For now, Instagram Features is a promising experiment rather than a complete YouTube replacement.
Last updated: October 26, 2026. This article is based on confirmed announcements and reporting available at publication time.
