instagram-reels-strategy

name	instagram-reels-strategy
description	Use when creating Instagram Reels. Reels differ from TikTok in algorithm and audience expectations.

Instagram Reels Strategy

Reels = 90s vertical. Instagram audience: more curated, less crude than TikTok. Aesthetic + brand-aligned wins.

Reels vs TikTok

1. Audience: Instagram more curated, Reels less than TikTok
2. Algorithm: similar (For You-style)
3. Length: up to 90 seconds (was 30s, now 90s)
4. Audio: licensed music more important on Reels (Spotify integration)
5. Aesthetic: cleaner, more designed than TikTok
6. Conversion: better for brand awareness, less impulse-buy

Reels best practices

1. Vertical 9:16, 1080×1920 minimum
2. Trending audio (Reels algorithm favors)
3. Captions for sound-off viewing
4. Hashtags 5-10 relevant
5. Reels Insights to measure performance
6. Cross-post to feed for additional reach
7. Save Reels as 'best of' compilation

Content types performing on Reels

1. Aesthetic product shots — beautifully filmed product
2. Before/after — transformation reveals
3. Educational — quick tip or insight
4. Trending audio + product — riding viral audio
5. Behind-the-scenes — making content
6. Customer stories — testimonial format
7. Storytelling — narrative arc

Where this fits in the X3 empire

Instagram Reels strategy for CardPrepAI.