Starting with the congratulations to Instagram, not every day that a social network celebrates reaching 1 billion active users in the month. Currently in the ranking of the largest social networks, only 5 of them reached 1 billion users. In the link you can see the complete list. There were rumors about a possible competitor to Youtube, which is precisely one of the 5 largest social networks, with 1.5 billion monthly active users.
Well, many talk about the new feature of Instagram being the "killer" of Youtube. It was then that I stopped to analyze the tool, what it offers, how it will work and what can go right and wrong. Come along with me to analyze my points, and we discuss at the end.
IGTV or Youtube killer?
Hmm. 1.5 billion monthly active users, preferred platform for many content producers. It may not be the most profitable, but it is undoubtedly the one that can best leverage an anonymous person. Many bands that are successful today started by uploading cover videos on Youtube, the best example that comes to my mind right now is Boice Avenue.
We still don't have the right answer as to whether or not it will affect Google TV, right?
10 minute videos?
Yes, the vast majority of users will be able to make videos with only 10 minutes, at least at the beginning of IGTV. Only larger accounts will have a chance to make videos up to 1 hour long. So far, to start, I don't see a problem. Youtube itself had a 15-minute limit. Until they create a good structure to store all the content, this restriction will be enforced.
Here at Techlifers we produce review videos with time ranging from 8 to 15 minutes, so to send a review to IGTV, we would have to organize the content to transmit the information in that time, it's not a big problem.
Video format and restrictions
Currently videos are restricted to MP4 format. At least that's what the IGTV help center says. The minimum aspect ratio is 4:5, and the maximum 9:16. Restrictions are 10 minutes of time, as already mentioned, and files of a maximum of 650MB. Videos with 60 minutes will have a maximum size stipulated at 5,4GB.
Is vertical videos a paradigm shift?
Surely you must be thinking of William Bonner's image showing that videos must be shot horizontally so that they can be correctly reproduced on TV. I would say that the novelty of Instagram is to bring vertical videos.
It's a format that YouTube video producers aren't used to recording, but story users are. Would this format be something more dedicated to vlog production? If so, in that case it would not be a direct competition to Youtube, but a complement. Many producers do not create vlogs on the main channel, the fact is that vlogs generally do not have the technical quality of production of the usual videos, a more informal video combined with IGTV would be a good way for channel owners to communicate with more agility and proximity to the followers.
Would vertical video be able to convey all the contextual information that traditional 16:9 provides?
Tip: See other columns from Techlifers writers.
Audience already built?
The community of people around Instagram accounts is already a huge benefit to the new IGTV channels. Imagine that you create an Instagram TV channel today, without any followers, you will have to inflate a little to start getting more views. Now creating a channel with the account's thousands of followers as subscribers is an advantage.
Notifications and delivery system?
If you use Instagram, you must have come across the IGTV icon. There, as well as in stories, all the videos produced by the channels you follow are organized. Unlike Youtube that shows what it thinks is best for you to watch, IGTV will bring them all. My preference is this. If I chose to follow something, it's because I want to receive content from that channel, DOT.
If they don't, I find it interesting. Maybe an option to be able to follow only Instagram and not that account's IGTV.
Can I record with a professional camera?
You are free to do what you want =). Brinks. Yes, you can make videos with traditional cameras, just follow the rules of weight, aspect ratio and file format.
Can I upload videos from the computer?
You can upload videos from your smartphone through the IGTV app:
- Tap the icon IGTV in the top right corner of the feed or open the IGTV app.
- To view the channel, tap the photo displayed to the right of Search on IGTV.
- Tap + and choose a video, then tap Advance.
- Add a title and description. Additionally, you can choose to share a Facebook Page.
- Touch Publish.
And yes, no computer also works IGTV, go to Instagram.com, go to your profile and click IGTV. The process is similar to Youtube, click upload video, click + and choose a video to upload. Add a title and description. There is also an option to share on the Facebook page. But who today uploads videos to Facebook?
If the option has not yet been released, it will be necessary to create your channel first. Access the IGTV app on your smartphone and register.
Where do I watch videos from the channels I follow on IGTV?
Only on the IGTV app or on Instagram itself. For now, only in these two apps that watching the videos is available.
Will I earn money by uploading videos to IGTV?
It's still too early to know, Instagram will certainly apply a way for producers to earn money from their videos, otherwise, it would just be a way for them to create something precisely to promote your main channel, on the TV next door. If Instagram really wants to compete with Youtube, it should mainly think of a format that better remunerate the creators, so you will be one step ahead of their membership.
Will IGTV Kill Youtube?
By my arguments, talking to some producer friends, IGTV arrived to be a ally to the creator. We still don't know for sure what he will become. There are no ways for channels to be paid, not the small ones, that directly impacts those who already survive from videos. Does he come to help? Yes, it will be the place where I see a greater proximity of the public with the creators.
The image quality on Instagram from Apple smartphones is incomparable against Androids. The iPhone seems privileged in the app, the file compression is minimal, making the image quality incredibly superior even to good Android smartphones. Could it be that on IGTV, whoever records directly from their smartphone will have the same problem?
And do you agree with my arguments or do you believe that IGTV will be the main means of consuming videos on the internet? comment.
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