We’re reeling a bit from the latest industry news… Another short-form video option, Reels? Reeeeally? And also, Triller? On top of TikTok? Everywhere around the world minds are blown.At their core, these apps all have a similar mission, to provide short-form video entertainment for users and viewers. It’s worth noting how they intersect one another:
- Immersive, full-screen content creating and viewing experience
- Sound as a crucial and necessary aspect of developing a successful video
- Easy-to-use technology users of all ages can master
- Broad “explore” pages making all types of content easily accessible
At the surface these apps feel similar, but deep down, the details of each are different. Let’s dive in!
TikTok
If you feel like TikTok went from 0 to 100 overnight, you’re not wrong. TikTok is disrupting the social landscape and continues to do so with over 84 million U.S. monthly active users and over 2 billion app downloads. They consider themselves the leading destination for short-form mobile video.
How it Works:
Users post 15-second videos set to music, original audio creations or funky and funny soundbites.
Why care?
Special effects and tools in the app allow anyone to be creative. We’re seeing a new group of influencers develop across a range of verticals including finance, nutrition, mental health and so much more. TikTok rewards reality allowing people to truly be themselves. And to be quite honest, the goofy, sometimes irrelevant content, is a much needed social media reset.
Instagram Reels
Reels is a new feature on Instagram for people, creators and businesses to create and discover short, entertaining videos. Ding ding–just like TikTok!
How it Works:
- Users can record and edit multi-clip videos in Reels by organizing clips, adjusting the speed, adding filters, adding text, doodling and even showing song lyrics.
- Videos are strictly 15 seconds (for now).
Why care?
Reels aims to benefit from the built-in network of familiarity users already have on Instagram while introducing something new. If your following and/or community are a big part of your online presence, Reels is an obvious option as you’ll be building onto an already existing foundation. Reels are treated as either a Feed or Story post making them discoverable.
If you’re more interested in keeping up with friends and accounts you already know and love on Instagram, you’ll be the most drawn to Reels as it ramps up. Click here to learn more about Instagram Reels.
Triller
With 64 million monthly active users and 130 million all-time downloads, Triller is a platform for music artists that has evolved into a social networking platform.
How it Works:
- Users create mini music videos by recording multiple different scenes using the same song snippet and the app automatically edits them together in a random sequence.
- Most videos run between two settings: 16 and 30 seconds, but you can make videos that run over two minutes.
Why care?
If you’re experimenting with content not directly linked to another app’s footprint, Triller will be a fun place to play. If the complex editing tools you find in TikTok or Reels turns you off, Triller’s clip-syncing editing feature might be appealing.
At last...
If we can agree on one thing, it’s that each of these apps allows users to discover new communities and showcase fresh content through a mix of hashtags and audio options. And, for a person who enjoys scrolling without creating content, these apps offer endless entertainment - literally.
Our team of creative strategists is up-to-date on the latest trends and ready to brainstorm ways for your brand to activate on each of these platforms. We’re here to help make your campaigns a success! Contact [email protected] to discuss options.
