Meta-owned Instagram on Tuesday officially launched Edits, a standalone app aimed at simplifying the process of creating short-form videos. The release follows its earlier unveiling this year.
Instagram said the goal is to build the most “compelling” creative tools to help creators express themselves freely—not just on Instagram and Facebook, but on “any platform.”
A new space for creators
The company noted that creating videos can often be difficult, involving multiple apps and complex workflows. With Edits, users now have a “dedicated space” equipped with powerful tools for seamless video creation.
Key features
- Video recording: Capture high-quality clips up to 10 minutes long and start editing instantly.
- Direct sharing or export: Share videos directly to Instagram and Facebook, or export and post on other platforms with no watermarks.
- 4K export support.
- Draft management: Keep all drafts and videos in one place.
- Frame-level editing: Edit videos with single-frame precision.
- Advanced camera controls: Adjust resolution, frame rate, dynamic range, flash, and zoom.
- AI-powered features: Animate images, apply AI effects, and modify backgrounds using green screen, cutout, or video overlay.
- Creative assets: Access fonts, stickers, filters, sound and voice effects, transitions, and more.
- Audio enhancements: Make voices clearer and reduce background noise.
- Auto captions: Generate and customize captions to fit the video style.
- Reel inspiration: Browse reels with trending audio and save ideas.
- Real-time insights: A live dashboard provides data on factors like skip rate to help creators understand what’s working.
- Content tracking: Monitor engagement and performance of each reel.
Built with creators
Instagram emphasized that building Edits involved close collaboration with creators. The company said it began working with creators last year, testing different concepts and integrating their feedback. Recently, early access was given to a select group of creators, whose responses shaped the app’s current features.
What’s next for Edits?
Instagram added that user feedback will continue to play a major role in the app’s evolution. The company is already working on several upcoming features:
- Keyframes: Precisely control timing, motion, and effects.
- AI modifications: Quickly transform video style using AI.
- Collaboration: Share drafts with friends, brands, or other creators for feedback and co-creation.
- More creative options: Expanded fonts, animations, voice effects, transitions, and royalty-free music.
The company noted that Edits is only the first step, and they expect the app to “evolve and improve” continuously with user input.
Availability
Edits is available for download on the Google Play Store (requires Android 9 or later) and Apple App Store (requires iOS 15.1 or later). Users can sign in with their Instagram account to start using the app.