Instagram is testing a way to make Reels using formats from other posts

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

According to a report from Insider, a new feature on the platform will allow creators to make Reels by borrowing formats from other videos. The feature is similar to TikTok's own templates tool, which allows creators to drop their own content into a premade sequence.

A reverse engineer spotted an early version of Templates in January, while a marketing manager has already tried it. Users can add their own audio and clips, as well as swap their own clips into preset frames, according to a March post by Hill. Hill pointed out to Insider that this could save users from using third-party templates, or having to follow online instructions to achieve a specific format.

Instagram REELS announced a new feature! “Use as template” allows user to replace the clips with your own and it will match the time stamps of the template reel. Let me know what you think of this feature. Does this make you want to create more reels? pic.twitter.com/rLMJAX89jG

— Jo Millie (@JosephineMedia) March 26, 2022

A Meta spokesman told Insider that they are always working on new ways to make reels simpler to create. A request for comment was made by The Verge, but they didn't hear back.

One of the biggest problems with TikTok is that it reposts too much. Last year, the platform stopped promoting Reels with TikTok watermarks, and this week, Adam Mosseri announced that the platform would be cracking down even harder. Throwing templates into the mix could make it easier to make videos on Reels.