Instagram has announced the official launch of Edits, its latest mobile video editing application. This rollout follows an initial announcement made three months prior and a planned launch date from February.

Instagram Takes Aim at TikTok

The introduction of a dedicated video editing tool is a logical step for Instagram. The platform has evolved significantly, becoming more than just a gallery for photos and videos; it is now heavily centered around Instagram Reels, which have become a major aspect of user engagement. The popularity of short-form videos is evident across various platforms, including LinkedIn, and Instagram is no exception. In the U.S., it’s likely a favored choice for many seeking bite-sized video content, despite some TikTok aficionados dismissing the idea of using Reels altogether.

However, the drive behind the Edits launch extends beyond mere competition. Earlier this year, TikTok and its related applications faced temporary restrictions, limiting access for American users to the world’s leading short-form video app, alongside popular tools such as CapCut.

As TikTok and similar apps gradually resumed operations, the situation remains uncertain, and their long-term viability in the U.S. is not assured. This creates a significant opportunity for Meta to reinforce Instagram as a premier destination for both content producers and viewers of short-form videos, potentially allowing it to overtake TikTok in case of further disruptions.

Exploring the Features of Edits

While Instagram already provides an editing feature for creating Reels, Edits seems to offer a more comprehensive suite of tools. Though firsthand experience with Edits is yet to be gained, promotional content from Meta suggests it functions as a typical mobile video editing application. Users will be able to import their own video files or record directly through the app, accommodating clips up to 10 minutes long, with an intuitive non-linear timeline for editing.

Like other editing applications, Edits includes a variety of features such as a green screen tool, a caption editor, and a cutout function that allows users to isolate specific subjects or objects in their videos. Additionally, users will have access to trending audio for Reels and a broader audio library to enhance their projects with music and sound effects.

An enjoyable aspect of Edits is the “Ideas” section, enabling users to jot down thoughts for future video concepts. More than just a simple notes feature, this section appears to accommodate vision board-style stickers for these ideas, along with an “Insights” tab to track video performance metrics.

Credit: Images courtesy of Meta

In line with contemporary trends, Instagram is integrating artificial intelligence into Edits. This is evident with the “Animate” feature, which enables users to animate still images using generative AI. While it resembles functions provided by other companies such as Google’s Veo 2 video model, the true performance remains to be evaluated. Furthermore, Meta has introduced a “Modify” feature designed to alter the “look and feel” of videos using AI, although details on how this will work remain sparse. Testing the app will shed light on these features.

Edits is available for download now via the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. Users must log in with their Instagram credentials to access the app, which aligns with Meta’s aim for Edits to serve primarily as a tool for editing Instagram Reels. However, once logged in, the Edits app allows the creation of videos suitable for various platforms, not just limited to Instagram. Meta assures that all exported videos will be watermark-free, enabling users to post content to platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts without constraints.

The pressing question remains how Edits will measure up against legacy mobile video editing tools. For those already integrated into the Instagram ecosystem, adopting Edits could be a sensible choice. Yet, for users accustomed to different mobile editing applications—especially those that are less vulnerable to potential bans—will Edits provide enough incentive to change? Only time will provide clarity.