How to Make a Reel on Instagram (2025 Complete Guide)

What Are Instagram Reels?

Instagram Reels are short-form vertical videos (up to 90 seconds) that appear in your feed, Explore page, and dedicated Reels tab. Since their launch in 2020 to compete with TikTok, Reels have become Instagram's fastest-growing feature and primary focus for algorithm promotion.

With Reels, you can:

• Create engaging short videos with music, effects, and text
• Reach a significantly larger audience than with regular posts
• Leverage trending sounds, effects, and challenges
• Build your brand's personality and showcase products
• Drive traffic to your profile, website, or products

Why Reels Matter in 2025

Instagram's algorithm heavily favors Reels, with the format receiving 2.5x more engagement and 3x more reach than standard video posts. After the 2024 algorithm update, Reels now account for over 60% of content consumption time on Instagram, making them essential for any growth strategy.

How to Make a Reel on Instagram: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Access the Reels Camera

Open Instagram and do one of the following:

• Tap the "+" at the top right, then select "Reel"
• Swipe right from your feed and select "Reels" at the bottom
• Tap the Reels tab and then the camera icon

Step 2: Prepare Your Settings

Before recording, customize your Reel with these options:

• Music: Tap the music note to add a song from Instagram's library
• Length: Choose between 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds
• Speed: Adjust recording speed (0.3x, 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 3x)
• Effects: Browse visual effects from Instagram's gallery
• Timer: Set a countdown for hands-free recording
• Dual: Use front and back cameras simultaneously

Step 3: Record or Upload Your Content

You have two options:

Option A: Record directly in the app

• Hold the record button to capture footage
• Tap the record button to start and stop for multiple clips
• Use the timer for hands-free recording

Option B: Upload existing videos/photos

• Tap the gallery icon in the bottom left
• Select videos or photos to include in your Reel
• Adjust the length of each clip using the trimming tool

Step 4: Edit Your Reel

After recording or uploading, enhance your Reel with:

• Text: Tap the "Aa" icon to add text with various fonts and animations
• Stickers: Add interactive elements, polls, or questions
• Drawing tools: Highlight or annotate parts of your Reel
• Audio sync: Adjust your visuals to match key moments in the music
• Transitions: Add smooth movements between clips or scenes
• Filters: Apply color grading to maintain your aesthetic

Step 5: Add Caption and Share

• Write an engaging caption with relevant hashtags
• Tag people and add a location if relevant
• Choose a custom cover image (critical for profile grid appearance)
• Select whether to share to your feed as well as Reels
• Tap "Share" to publish your Reel

How to Make a Reel with Photos on Instagram

Creating Reels isn't limited to video footage. Here's how to make a Reel using still photos:

1. Access the Reels camera as described above
2. Tap the gallery icon in the bottom left
3. Select multiple photos from your gallery (up to 10)
4. Adjust the duration each photo appears (0.5-5 seconds each)
5. Add transitions between photos (tap the transition icon)
6. Add music that complements your photo sequence
7. Customize with text overlays to tell your story
8. Apply consistent filters for a cohesive look

The key to engaging photo Reels is creating a smooth, dynamic flow between images with appropriate timing and transitions.

How to Make a Reel on Instagram with Music

Music is essential for engaging Reels. Here's how to perfectly pair your visuals with audio:

1. After recording or uploading your content, tap the music note icon
2. Browse trending songs or search for specific tracks
3. Use the slider to select the specific segment of the song to use
4. Adjust clip timing to match key beats in the music
5. Consider adding text that appears in sync with the music
6. Use Instagram's auto-sync feature to match transitions to the beat

Pro tip: Using trending audio can significantly increase your Reel's discoverability, as Instagram promotes content that leverages popular sounds.

How to Make a Trending Reel on Instagram

To create Reels that align with current trends:

1. Use Instagram templates:

   • Go to a trending Reel you'd like to recreate
   • Tap the "Use template" button at the bottom
   • Follow the guided process to replace the original clips with yours

2. Find trending audio:

   • Browse the Reels tab for content with high view counts
   • When you find a Reel with audio you want to use, tap the sound name
   • Select "Use audio" to create your own Reel with that sound

3. Participate in challenges:

   • Look for hashtags with "challenge" in the name
   • Create content that puts your unique spin on the challenge
   • Include the challenge hashtag in your caption

Instagram Reels Best Practices for 2025

1. Hook viewers in the first 3 seconds

Instagram's internal data shows that Reels keeping viewers past the 3-second mark see 68% higher completion rates. Start with a compelling question, surprising fact, or visually striking scene.

2. Embrace vertical 9:16 format

Design specifically for the full-screen vertical experience. Avoid horizontal footage or videos with large borders, as Instagram's 2024 algorithm update penalizes non-native formats.

3. Include on-screen text

Many viewers watch with sound off, so include captions or text overlays to convey your message visually. The new auto-caption feature has improved significantly in 2025.

4. Keep it concise and focused

While Reels can be up to 90 seconds, the sweet spot for engagement is 15-30 seconds. Focus on a single concept rather than trying to cover multiple topics.

5. Incorporate trending elements strategically

Use popular sounds, effects, and challenges, but add your unique perspective. The algorithm rewards original content that incorporates trending elements.

6. Post consistently

The Instagram algorithm favors accounts that regularly post Reels (3-5 times per week). Consistency signals to Instagram that you're an active creator.

Common Instagram Reels Mistakes to Avoid

• Recycling TikTok content with watermarks: Instagram's algorithm deprioritizes content with visible watermarks from other platforms
• Ignoring audio quality: Poor audio dramatically reduces engagement, even with great visuals
• Using too many effects: Overloading with transitions and effects can distract from your message
• Missing trends: By the time a trend reaches mainstream awareness, it's often already fading
• Neglecting analytics: Not reviewing performance metrics to understand what resonates with your audience

The Easier Way: Automating Reels with Genviral

Creating compelling Reels requires time, creativity, and technical skill. Genviral streamlines this process through AI automation.

How Genviral Creates Instagram Reels

Genviral's AI platform revolutionizes Reels creation by:

1. Automatically generating complete Reels from a simple prompt or concept
2. Selecting trending audio that matches your content theme
3. Creating dynamic text animations timed perfectly with visuals
4. Designing transition effects for smooth flow between scenes
5. Scheduling and posting directly to your Instagram account

Instead of spending hours filming, editing, and optimizing Reels, Genviral produces professional-quality content in minutes.

The Genviral Reels Workflow

1. Enter your Reel concept or topic
2. Select your preferred style and duration
3. Choose from AI-suggested music options
4. Review and approve the AI-generated Reel
5. Schedule for optimal posting time or post immediately

Measuring Instagram Reels Success

Track these metrics to evaluate your Reels performance:

• Plays: Total number of times your Reel has been viewed
• Accounts reached: Unique users who saw your Reel
• Likes and comments: Direct engagement signals
• Shares: How many times users sent your Reel to others
• Saves: Perhaps the strongest signal of quality content
• Profile visits: Traffic to your profile from the Reel
• Follow conversion rate: New followers gained from Reel views

Instagram's Creator Studio provides detailed Reels analytics, including audience retention graphs showing exactly where viewers drop off.

Final Thoughts

Instagram Reels represent the platform's future, offering unparalleled reach and engagement potential. While creating standout Reels requires skill and consistency, tools like Genviral make it possible to maintain a competitive Reels presence without extensive time investment.

By automating the creation, optimization, and posting of Reels, you can focus on strategy while still benefiting from Instagram's algorithmic preference for this format.

Whether you create Reels manually or leverage Genviral's AI-powered solution, incorporating this format into your Instagram strategy is non-negotiable for anyone serious about growth in 2025.