How to Use Instagram TV
On the 20th June this year Instagram released a new app called Instagram TV (IGTV). It is a long form video app that runs off your existing Instagram account. It gives influencers and celebrities the chance to produce and publish longer videos than being limited to 60 seconds like they were previously.
You don’t have to create another account to use IGTV either; it is linked to your original Instagram account, which is convenient. As soon as you log in, the app will start to suggest videos for you based on the people you already follow.
The video in the background will automatically start to play but with no volume, similar to the way Instagram treats videos on your Insta feed at the moment. Videos will play but there is no sound unless you turn it up, but then until you close out of the app completely every video you scroll past will start to play.
You can search for videos through the search tool, or you can view videos that are popular and trending at the moment with the Popular tab, which is similar to the Explore function of Instagram.
When you find a video you want to watch all you have to do is tap on the screen and the video will enlarge, and all the other tabs will disappear. Videos on this platform are made to be vertical, so even if you tilt your phone the video will stay vertical. Another feature of this app is that IGTV will remember where you were in a video if you leave it before you finish, so you can pick up right where you left off.
At the moment you can’t record videos in the IGTV app. When you go to upload a video (by pressing the + button, similar to Instagram) the app will pull down content from your camera roll. This gives you the opportunity to film and edit your videos before you upload them. You can add graphics and animations, anything you want to use and associate with your brand.
Another great feature with this app is the option to create segments and series with your IGTV, like a YouTube playlist. All your videos will appear at the bottom of the screen when someone searches for you, and they can scroll through to find one that they want to watch.
Now that you’re a bit more in tune with how the app works you can start to upload and get your name and brand out there on this new platform. There are loads of benefits from using it as a business or for personal use, but if you want to find out more about how to use it as part of your social media strategy then you can check out our last article on IGTV.
