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Instagram reels were ridiculed. They said it can't compete with TikTok.

Boy! were they wrong. Do you think GenZ loves only TikTok? Let's see.

Let's look at 7 facts about Instagram which may blow your mind.

I guess you'll agree with me that short-form video content is here to stay.

It's not a new phenomenon either. Even back in 2016, Anomoto's research found that 76% of small businesses found marked results from video content.
It still remains true.

No doubt Tiktok made a splash and got the attention it deserved. Grew the fasted to 1 billion users among any other social apps.

So jumping on the sort form of video content was not even a choice for Instagram. Was it?

It is definitely a copycat. Some say it's not good to copy.

Hmm, so nobody should have made a touch screen phone after Apple. Forgetaboutit.

The idea is simple. No one platform should completely own the market. It is good to have two (or more).

Instagram with all the might of Meta (Facebook) did not let its ship sink and does compete fiercely with TikTok.

Let's look at the data. (Compiled from various sources)

  1. Instagram rose from 5th to 1st place among the most downloaded app in Q4 2021 beating TikTok. Slipped to second later.

There is the India factor too. TikTok is banned in India.

  1. 61% of Gen Z TikTok users plan to spend more time on Reels. You wouldn't have expected that.

By the way, Snapchat commands the lead in this segment, and TikTok is right behind. While Instagram is catching fast.

  1. Among the GenZ, 87% of them agree that Instagram Reels and TikTok are "basically the same thing" (Data: SMPerth)

Well, it is. No doubt. As TikTok brings more ads and monetization features, it will look more like Instagram minus photos.

  1. Over 70% of Instagram users are under the age of 35. Compared to TikTok where around 75% are under the age of 35.

When it comes to businesses or creators. It is easier to monetize on Instagram compared to TikTok.

  1. Over 200 million businesses have accounts on Instagram. And is also considered the #1 platform to follow brands (Marketing Charts).

Just Imagine Louis Vuitton's Instagram reels get 5M views on average.

  1. Instagram reels get more engagement than any short-form video content app. Globally users spend 53 minutes per session on average.

It's a marketers world now, after all.

  1. Instagram generated revenue of over $26 billion in 2021. (eMarketer), compared to TikTok which generated 44.6 billion.

This year TikTik estimates are over $11 billion. Great growth. But Instagram will also cross $33 billion.


There is one core takeaway in this thread. If you are not onboard the short-form video content, you'll be left behind in the long run.

Be it Instagram or TikTok. You need to get into the action.

Do you think Instagram can compete with TikTok.

I bootstrap 14 hours a day, building Audience OS, GreetsApp, and Honeywald.

on June 16, 2022
  1. 1

    Interesting stats! It's impressive how quickly Instagram has caught up to TikTok in the short-form video space. The network effects of Meta's platforms seem hard to beat.

    I'm curious to see how the competition evolves - more choice and innovation tends to be better for users. But the numbers show both can win. For now I'm focused on learning from creators succeeding across platforms and formats. I learn alot from instaapphub . Lots of new opportunity out there!

  2. 1

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    I'll share a reputable and secure site where you can promote your IG and get organic traffic. Check out this website, https://hotdot.pro/buy-instagram-likes/, to buy more Instagram likes for your pages. 87% of GenZ believe that Reels and TikTok are the same. So, take advantage of an opportunity to reach and engage more people.

    The great point was about monetization. You are right, and IG is much easier to monetize. As a result, I believe it is worth much more investment. Apparently, it feels nice to gain many likes on publications.

  3. 1

    There's no doubt that TikTok is a hugely popular app with a devoted following, but that doesn't mean that Instagram's new Reels feature can't compete. In fact, Reels offers a lot of unique features that TikTok doesn't, and it could definitely give the app a run for its money.