There’s a new Instagram feature and it’s actually good news

Here’s everything you need to know…

Forced changes to our daily Instagram activity never go down well, with most of the app’s updates being met by a negative reaction.

There was the time Instagram controversially switched its logo, the algorithm change that affected who saw our posts and don’t even get us started on the threat that our profiles were being changed to a 4×4 photo grid.

And lest we forget the biggest Instagram controversy of 2018 - when the Instagram GIF feature was introduced, and then taken away, and then brought back. Torture.

The app’s most recent update therefore has been a nice change, met by an overwhelmingly positive reception.

We are of course talking about their new video app feature, IGTV, launching this week as Instagram’s global community reaches one billion.

Here’s everything you need to know…

What is IGTV?

IGTV is a new Instagram feature, described by CEO Kevin Systrom as ‘an app for watching long-form, vertical videos from your favourite creators.’

‘While there’s a stand-alone IGTV app, you’ll also be able to watch from within the Instagram app so the entire community of one billion can use it from the very start,’ Kevin explained in a press release. ‘IGTV is built for how you actually use your phone, so videos are full screen and vertical. Also, unlike on Instagram, videos aren’t limited to one minute. Instead, each video can be up to an hour long.’

The press release continued: ‘Just like turning on the TV, IGTV starts playing as soon as you open the app. You don’t have to search to start watching content from people you already follow on Instagram and others you might like based on your interests. In IGTV, the creators are the channels. When you follow a creator on Instagram, their IGTV channel will show up for you to watch. Anyone can be a creator — you can upload your own IGTV videos in the app or on the web to start your own channel.’

Can I get IGTV?

Only accounts with big followings are currently able to use IGTV’s full hour-long video feature limit, but the company is planning on expanding IGTV to all Instagram users, so watch this space.

Be right back - off to explore IGTV.