Digital Dose: Instagram Tests LongerVideos as Brands Rethink Content Strategy

Welcome to your dose of trending news from the digital universe, courtesy of the Spectrum Science Innovation Team.

In this edition of Digital Dose, we're diving into Instagram's testing of long-form video and new survey results revealing consumers' preferences for authenticity.

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Instagram is testing 90-minute videos

Instagram is testing Features, a new long-form video format that will allow creators to upload videos up to 90 minutes, with Reels serving as a discovery point across mobile, desktop and Instagram's TV app. Read More.

Why it matters:Instagram's push into long-form video gives brands more flexibility to tell deeper stories without sending audiences off-platform. As the feature is still being tested, brands should monitor its rollout and audience adoption before building it into their core video strategies.

New PhotoShelter Survey Finds Consumers Want Authentic Content, While Brands Invest in the Wrong Platforms

A PhotoShelter survey of 500 marketers and 500 consumers found that, while consumers are watching more social video, brands may be missing the mark by focusing on overly polished content and investing in channels where their audiences are not engaged. Audiences are making viewing decisions within seconds and increasingly favor authentic content over videos that feel AI-generated or overly produced. Read More.

Why it matters:More video doesn't necessarily mean more engagement, especially as audiences become more selective. With 52% of consumers deciding whether to keep watching within five seconds, strong hooks and authentic creative are critical. This reinforces the need for platform-native content and smarter investment in the channels where audiences are actually watching. Also, AI can support efficiency, but not at the expense of the human element audiences value.

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Interested in more? Don't miss these additional digital headlines:

• Companies may need to restrict AI use to manage costs [Social Media Today]

• X launches its own clipping feature to spur influencer engagement [TechCrunch]

• Reddit is testing in-app search ads as traffic from Google declines [Engadget]

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