Short-form video content is one of the undoubted ways to gain people’s attention and spread brand awareness. This bite-sized video content helps keep your audience engaged throughout and deliver your message in a short period.
Due to this increasing popularity of video content over social media platforms, 89% of marketers now incorporate video content in their marketing strategy. Instagram and TikTok allow you to create short video content and offer great opportunities to gain/reach your audience.
However, most brands and influencers get confused when it comes to choosing a platform between Instagram and TikTok. Here, we will compare the two platforms as per their features and demographics to help you choose the best platform for video content.
TikTok Vs Instagram Reels
Before choosing between reels or TikTok, it is important to understand what is the difference between TikTok and Instagram Reels. Both applications have their own features, advantages, and disadvantages. TikTok, on the one hand, is more popular whereas Instagram, on the other hand, has more features to offer.
Here is a difference and similarities between TikTok and Instagram reels in brief:
| Features | TikTok | |
| Maximum Video Length | 10 minutes | 90 seconds |
| Stickers and Filters | Yes | Yes |
| Audio | ● Offers a huge collection.
● You can create a new sound also. |
● The collection is limited.
● Copyright issues. |
| Account Interaction | Stitch, duet | collaborations |
| Sound Library | Available | Available |
| Upload pre-recorded video files | Allowed | Allowed |
Let’s discuss all the differences between Instagram Reels and TikTok in detail.
Length Of Video
The first and foremost thing to notice is the maximum video length on both platforms because you need to send your message in the same duration.
The maximum duration of video on TikTok is 10 minutes which was initially 15 seconds whereas Instagram reels allow you to post a video of a maximum length of 90 seconds which was originally 60 seconds.
Clearly, for those who wish to post long-form videos, TikTok is a better platform as you can post both short and long-form videos.
Also Read: how to join tiktok creator fund
Type of Content
Post content where your audience is! Therefore, you need to know what platform follows what style of content and then produce the same.
When it comes to Instagram, the platform is more about information and aesthetic lifestyle content. To engage and gain traction on your Reels, you will have to create videos in a very polished format with proper cover images. However, as a brand, Reels is only suitable if you are ready to invest your money and time in building the image of your brand.
Other than this, when it comes to TikTok, the platform is a place to produce more experimental and less conservative content. Rather than planning your content, you may choose to jump on trends to stay relevant on the platform.
Engagement
Social media is all about engaging with your audience and you need to choose a platform where there is maximum engagement with your audience.
As per the TikTok algorithm, For You surfaces content as per your interest rather than the accounts you follow. This, in turn, results in higher engagement rates, especially for the new users or brands on the platform.
However, this does not mean Instagram reels do not gain engagement. Although TikTok is a great platform for generating user-generated content, Instagram reels help you increase brand visibility because of higher impressions.
Analytics
Proper tools and metrics are required to check the performance of your videos. Both Instagram and TikTok focuses on adding latest functionalities to allow businesses and influencers gain valuable insights of their videos.
On Instagram, you will find a Instagram Reels dashboard where you can see key metrics including number of plays, like, saves, account reached, shares and comments. Apart from this, you can also gain insights into demographics of your audience including range, age, and location.
When it comes to TikTok, it also provides similar data to creators including likes, shares, comments, video views and follower growth.
Advertisements
Instagram ads are more popular than TikTok ads maybe because of the higher cost involved in TikTok advertisement. Although, bids on both platforms are almost the same, you need to allocate extra budget while advertising on TikTok.
Complexity can be the other reason why TikTok ads are not preferred especially by the newcomers. TikTok allows you to run different ads like Feed ads, topview, branded effects, brand takeover, and Branded hashtag challenge. All these ads have different purposes which can be confusing for a lot of people.
On the other hand, Instagram ads are very straightforward. Ads on Instagra, are displayed next to organic reels in stories, reels, feed, and explore page.
How To Use TikTok Videos On Instagram?
To use TikTok videos on Instagram, you will have to repurpose them with a third-party applications. Keep in mind that Instagram may not support videos with TikTok logo, therefore, it is a must to edit it properly before putting it on Instagram.
TikTok Or Instagram: The Verdict
Which platform should you use? Well, this completely depends on where your audience is. On one hand, where millennials are more comfortable with Instagram, GenZ is all gaga over TikTok. Generally, most brands and influencers use both TikTok and Instagram because there is no doubt that both platforms cater to a different audience. Hence, being present on both platform helps you reach wider audience.
Note that both these platforms can coexist and all you need is a unique concept that will engage audience on both platforms