Instagram launched the IGTV feature in June 2018. This feature was intended to offer a long-form video service designed to compete with platforms like YouTube. Instagram followers can spot the IGTV icon at the top-right corner of the application.
However, recently, Instagram’s team has announced that they will be finally dropping this feature. This means you will no longer get to see this icon on your Instagram app. This decision comes amid Instagram’s growing concern about low tapping rates on the dedicated IGTV icon.
What is IGTV?
If you regularly publish or upload videos on Instagram, you must be aware that most videos are capped at a limit of 60 seconds. Hence, videoes longer than that has to be trimmed.
Well, if you have a longer video to upload, then you can utilize the IGTV or Instagram TV feature. This long-form video feature allows you to upload and watch videos that are longer than 60 seconds.
Here are some of the salient features that IGTV offers:
- You’ll be able to watch videos on vertical full screen.
- You can upload a video of 10 minutes duration. However, if you have a verified account, your video can be up to 60 minutes in length.
- Videos usually auto-play on IGTV.
- IGTV supports MP4 videos along with JPEG thumbnails.
- IGTV videos are usually customized for you. It is based on who you follow or what sort of content you search on Instagram.
Why is Instagram Dropping This Feature?
Instagram had to finally take this decision, as IGTV wasn’t simply able to live up to its expectations. According to one of Instagram’s spokespersons, very few people were actually using this feature.
Most of the users were watching the video content uploaded for IGTV through the previews in their Instagram feed or through the creator’s profile directly. So, only a few of them were actually tapping on the icon to avail of the long-form video service of IGTV.
Moreover, IGTV failed to bring in as much revenue share as Instagram had expected. Also, the brands and businesses have not provided the same sponsored content opportunity for the contents of IGTV. As a result, IGTV was not successful in attracting sponsors, content-creators, and users.
How Does it Affect you if Instagram Drops IGTV Button?
Today Instagram is reported to have more than a billion users worldwide. Dropping this feature from the app isn’t a significant move on Instagram’s part. So, if you don’t get to see the IGTV icon on the top-right corner of your app, do not panic.
You can still use the features of IGTV through the exclusive app that Instagram offers. If you do not want to download a separate app but want to enjoy the services of IGTV, then you will have to dig a bit deeper.
By removing the dedicated IGTV icon, Instagram is basically deprioritizing the IGTV service. But, it is not entirely getting rid of it. Therefore, if you want to post IGTV videos, you can use the same video-uploading feature that you use for your main feed.
Conclusion
To sum up, Instagram introduced the IGTV service to compete with other massively popular apps and platforms like YouTube and TikTok. They also introduced an exclusive IGTV app. However, only 7 million users out of Instagram’s 1 billion users have actually downloaded this specific app approximately.
Also, IGTV failed to provide the expected financial opportunities for Instagram and failed to draw in sponsors and creators. Instagram still does not have plans to discontinue IGTV services in the near future. So, if you are a fan of IGTV videos, then it is still not the time to worry or panic.
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