Since being acquired by Facebook, Instagram has undergone several radical transformations. The platform is now reportedly testing an extension of its video length limit from 60 seconds to 1 hour.
Recent research has shown a significant increase in digital video consumption among younger users over the past few years. This move is already sparking speculation about Instagram becoming a potential competitor to YouTube, the reigning video content platform.
Five years ago, Facebook purchased Instagram for $1 billion after noticing a shift of its younger active user base toward the photo-sharing app. Since then, Instagram has introduced popular features and regular updates, including the wildly successful Instagram Stories, which now boasts nearly 300 million daily active users.
If this project goes live as planned, millions of users will have the ability to share hour-long videos directly on their Instagram profiles. Additionally, by opening this feature to content creators, Instagram could offer opportunities for users to monetize their videos, further enhancing its appeal.