Creators or business owners who would like to upload videos to their Instagram account could do so under various restrictions until Instagram TV (IGTV) was launched.
Instagram has launched another product called Instagram TV (IGTV) to help creators, users, and businesses upload videos in a different way than before.
Until now if you wanted to upload videos to your Instagram account, you could upload it using your smartphone application and limit up to one minute. In addition, videos could also be uploaded to the historical and up to 15 seconds.
What is Instagram TV (IGTV)?
Instagram Television (IGTV) is actually a video-based social network that allows upload, comment and watch videos. However, the difference between it and uploading videos directly to the Instagram is that the IGTV service allows for longer videos, from 15 seconds to 10 minutes, larger and verified accounts can upload videos up to one hour (60 minutes). Also, unlike the upload to Instagram’s Story, the videos are not removed after 24 hours.
In addition, the videos are uploaded vertically and in full screen. This is because Instagram believes that a vertical is a way we hold our phone so it is natural to use it in this way.
Finally, the service is very similar to watching TV. When you sign in to the app, videos will be played based on a number of factors, such as people you follow in the stream itself, popular and more. However, this does not prevent you from searching, the service allows you to search for videos by keyword.
How to create an Instagram TV (IGTV) channel?
Unlike Instagram, the new service is separate from the main application, but it is also related to each other. The best example is the combination of Facebook and Messenger, it’s about 2 separate apps and other services, but they are related to each other.
Instagram Television (IGTV) operates in a similar way and has a channel, such as YouTube, where all videos uploaded by the user are located.
If you have an Instagram account, then you can set up your channel very easily. There are 2 options:
- Instagram TV (IGTV) website – go to your Instagram account and then click “IGTV”. If this is the first time, click “Get Started” and then click “Next” several times and then click “Create Channel”.
- Instagram TV (IGTV) application on your mobile phone – Download and install the IGTV application through the Google Play store or through the App Store. Then sign in using your Instagram account. Then click “Create Channel”.
If your Instagram / IGTV account is public, then anyone in the Instagram can see the videos you upload. If your Instagram / IGTV account is private, then only approved followers can see the videos.
How to upload videos to the IGTV (Instagram TV) channel?
There are a few things to keep in mind before uploading videos to your IGTV channel.
First of all, videos must be between 15 seconds and 10 minutes, if you have a verified or larger account, you can upload videos up to 60 minutes on your computer. Videos must be in MP4 format and videos must be portrait (not landscape) at a ratio of 4:5 to 9:16. Videos up to 10 minutes must be up to 650MB and videos of up to one hour must be up to 5.4GB.
1. Upload via computer
To upload videos to IGTV on your computer, go to your Instagram account, click on IGTV, then click “Upload” or via the direct link: www.instagram.com/tv/upload.
Click plus + and add the video to the channel. Then, add title and description of the video, you can also add a link to the video description or hashtags. Add the subject/preview image, you can upload an image in JPG format.
Finally, click “Post”.
2. Upload through the app
Another way is to upload videos using the dedicated app. So open the app or click the TV icon in the main Instagram app. Then, access your channel by clicking on your profile photo.
Click plus +, select the video you want to upload, then click “Next”. Add a title and description to the video, as well as adding a link or hashtags. Add the subject/preview image, you can upload an image in JPG format. Choose whether to upload the video to Facebook as well and then click “Post”.
Share your video to your Facebook page
If you have a business Instagram account, then it is already linked to your Facebook business page. You can share the IGTV video on your Facebook page.
- Via the app on your phone: When uploading your video, turn on the option to share the video to your Facebook page. In fact, it will be uploaded to the Facebook page and not just share a link.
- Via the website: While uploading your video, towards the end, click Share To, and choose your Facebook page.
Analytics and insights
Another important thing you need to know is the performance of the videos you upload to your channel. For example, you can gain insight into how many people have marked like on your videos, commented on them, how many people watched them, average view of the video, and an audience retention graph.
To access this data, access the video you are interested in, then click the gear icon or 3 points icon, depending on your phone type, and then click View Insights.
Promotion and advertising
As of now, your videos or channel cannot be promoted. However, we estimate that this will happen very soon after the new service is perceived and becomes significant.
Because the channel is linked to your Instagram account, then anyone who follows you in the Instagram will follow your channel. It’s a good idea to upload high-quality videos for your target audience and to use appropriate titles and descriptions, as well as the hash tags and links.
So, I’m interested in creating my own channel for a particular business. Is this the correct info that I need? I’m not a geek yet, and I need assistance in learning more about this channel. Best, Cindi
Hi Cindi,
You can use our article – it will help you.