Highlights
- Instagram head Adam Mosseri hinted the platform may embrace long-form video and subscription-based premium content to sustain growth.
- Instagram is expanding to larger screens with its Fire TV app, signalling interest in living-room experiences.
- Mosseri suggested smart glasses and mixed reality could reshape Instagram within the next decade.
Caption – (Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash)
Instagram could significantly evolve its content strategy in the coming years with greater emphasis on long-form video and premium content. In a recent interview, Instagram head Adam Mosseri shared insights into how the Meta-owned platform is thinking about its future.
Instagram May Reconsider Long-Form Video Strategy
Speaking to Semafor, Mosseri acknowledged that Instagram’s long-standing decision to avoid direct competition with long-form platforms such as YouTube may not hold forever.
“It might turn out that maybe we’ll need premium content to work… It might be that we need long-form video,” he told Semafor.
This marks a notable shift in tone, suggesting that Instagram is actively evaluating whether long-form video will be essential for sustaining future growth. This is significant as creators and audiences increasingly spend more time on platforms that support extended video formats.
Over the past few years, Instagram has largely prioritised short-form content particularly Reels. It reinforces what Mosseri has previously described as the platform’s “core identity” of helping people connect with friends while discovering new interests. However, changing user behaviour and the growing dominance of video-first platforms may push Instagram to rethink that approach.
Premium Content and New Monetisation Models
Mosseri also touched on the possibility of introducing more premium content experiences. Until now, Instagram has relied heavily on short-form discovery powered by algorithmic feeds. However, subscription-based offerings or paid creator content could help unlock new revenue streams while encouraging deeper user engagement.
That said, Mosseri clarified that even if Instagram embraces longer videos, its approach would differ from YouTube’s. According to him, YouTube thrives on long, high-production-value content, whereas Instagram’s ecosystem is built around constant variety, making that model less effective on the platform.
Expanding Beyond Smartphones
Instagram is also experimenting with ways to extend its presence beyond mobile devices. This is evident from the recent rollout of an Instagram TV app for Fire TV devices, which allows users to watch and share Reels on larger screens. The move signals Instagram’s interest in integrating more closely with living-room experiences.
Wearables and the Future of Instagram
Looking further ahead, Mosseri spoke about a future where smart glasses and other wearable technologies could play a central role. He suggested that such a shift could happen within the next decade, potentially replacing smartphones and transforming how users interact with Instagram through mixed reality and hands-free experiences.
“For avisual platform, [being] in a medium where you probably want most of your interactions with your smart glasses to be audio-only is a much bigger, more open question that we need to think about,” Mosseri said.
His comments highlight the challenges and opportunities that emerging hardware could bring.
FAQ
Q1. Is Instagram planning to introduce long-form video content?
Answer. Yes, Adam Mosseri hinted that Instagram may embrace long-form video in the future to sustain growth and adapt to changing user behaviour.
Q2. What premium content options could Instagram explore?
Answer. Instagram is considering subscription-based offerings or paid creator content, which could unlock new revenue streams and deepen user engagement.
Q3. How is Instagram expanding beyond smartphones?
Answer. Instagram recently rolled out a TV app for Fire TV devices, allowing users to watch and share Reels on larger screens, and is exploring future integration with wearables like smart glasses.