The face behind a brand is what users are most hungry for. They want to engage with content they relate to and feel more connected to who they buy from.
Instagram Reels provide brands with an opportunity to demonstrate who they are in a fun, digestible way. Since the short-video format debuted in 2020, brands and creators have leveraged it to radically boost presence on social media and maintain competitive advantage in an increasingly saturated digital landscape.
What is an Instagram Reel?
An Instagram Reel is a full-screen vertical video that can now be up up to 15 minutes in length (increased from the previous 90-second limit) Reels equip creators with the option to embellish through an extensive array of editing tools (including filters, captions, stickers, backgrounds, AI-powered effects, and collaborative features) as well as a library of audio tracks and trending sounds.
A Reel isn’t the same as an Instagram Story. A key difference between the two formats is that Reels don’t disappear after 24 hours. Once a Reel is posted, it’s available until the creator deletes it and can be repurposed across multiple Meta platforms.
Users can find Reels by clicking the Reels icon at the bottom of the Instagram home page. It’s a scrollable feed full of trending Reels (similar to the For You section on TikTok). Reels can also be found on the explore page and through Instagram’s enhanced recommendation algorithm that personalizes content based on user behavior and interests. Data can then be tracked on your marketing analytics dashboard.
Benefits of Instagram Reels for Brands and Businesses
- Accelerates engagement and drives authentic connections
- Builds trust with consumers through authentic storytelling
- Creates storytelling opportunities with enhanced creative tools
- Demonstrates brand character and values
- Improves brand awareness across demographics
- Reaches new audiences through cross-platform integration
- Unlocks opportunities to diversify content and test new formats
Instagram Reels vs Instagram Stories: What’s the Difference?
The social media landscape has evolved significantly since 2020, with short-form video content now the dominant format across platforms.
The explosion of TikTok, with more than 1.7 billion active monthly users globally, has forced Instagram to compete by creating their own version of a catchy, short-video format. With the Instagram algorithm continuing to prioritize Reels in 2025, brands can’t rely on only using static images to build and captivate audiences.
Many content creators, influencers and brands have found that they earn more views and higher engagement rates when they post Reels. Recent studies show that reels generate up to 22% more engagement than standard video posts. As an example, brands consistently report significant increases in followers when they maintain a consistent Reels posting schedule.
Short, engaging videos remain the centerpiece of social media. They’re what consumers respond to the most and are a highly lucrative tool at winning more engagement as a result.
Further your Reach through Reels
Brands who post Reels improve their chances of being seen on the explore page and in users’ main feeds. The explore page, where recommended content appears on Instagram, plays a key role in enabling the success of Instagram Reels alongside Instagram’s advanced AI-driven content distribution.
Because the Instagram algorithm continues to favor Reels in 2025, a brand is more likely to land on the explore page when including a healthy dose of Reels in their content mix. Data from Meta shows that over 500 million users look at the explore page daily as of 2025.
Recommended content (aka content that appears on the explore page and suggested posts) can introduce users to new accounts, where they have the potential to become interested browsers and then loyal customers (you can review this data on your marketing analytics dashboard).
Real estate on the explore page is thus essential for brands to reach more users, and drive greater brand awareness – it helps initiate a users’ journey throughout the digital sales funnel.
Tell your Story using Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels are a great thread in the storytelling of a brand. People want to watch real people with real faces, voices, thoughts and emotions. Having employees talk directly to camera about educational issues in and around their product or industry, for example, can help build trust with consumers and foster an engaged following as a result.
Users can more easily relate to a brand when they can interact with the faces behind it. Because Reels enable brands to show more dimension to their identity than a 2D static post, sharing Reels can improve a brand’s likeability and familiarity while building authentic communities.
This has far-reaching impacts on a businesses bottom line. Recent research indicates that 78% of users feel more connected to a brand whose employees share information on social media, while more than 84% of consumers say they would buy from a brand they feel connected to over a competitor.
Reels Appeal Across All Demographics
The idea that Reels are just for younger audiences is outdated!
Data from 2024-2025 shows that Reels have the potential to reach diverse age groups, with significant engagement from users aged 25-54. Instagram’s user base has matured, with Millennials and Gen X actively engaging with Reels content.
While Gen Z remains highly engaged with the format, brands also harness a great opportunity when they create content that resonates across generational lines. That’s why multi-generational content strategies are proving most effective in 2025.
Being seen by diverse audiences ensures broad brand recognition across multiple demographic segments, a customer base to continuously grow and expand.
To get cut through in the current market, consumers across all age groups appreciate authentic, engaging video content that provides value.
Track Performance to Determine Success
Understanding the impact of your Reels strategy requires comprehensive analytics. Advanced social media analytics platforms now offer deeper insights into content performance, audience behavior, and ROI metrics.
When determining the success of Instagram Reels in 2025, we recommend focusing on these metrics on your marketing analytics dashboard:
- Engagement Rate (likes, comments, reactions, etc)
- Hashtag tracking and Reach
- Total and unique reach
- Mentions tracking and brand sentiment
- Video completion rates and replay statistics
- Click-through rates to profile and website
- Conversion tracking from Reels to desired actions
When a brand’s marketing is contextualized with data, they can derive insights around what’s working and what isn’t. This is the material marketers need to make strategic pivots, additions and adjustments, while optimizing content for maximum impact. Data gives marketers and brands the fuel they need to grow and further success in an increasingly competitive environment.
Where to Find Comprehensive Analytics for Instagram Reels
Modern marketing requires sophisticated analytics tools that provide actionable insights. That’s where Digivizer comes in. With our comprehensive real-time analytics platform, we help marketers streamline their reporting process and focus on strategic decision-making rather than manual data extraction.
Sign up for free today to get the insights you need to win on social media. Whether you leverage our real-time insights marketing analytics dashboard on its own, or add our leading agency services, you’re empowered to choose your own path to success. Be powered by the Digivizer Advantage.
