How to Activate Instagram’s Gesture-Based Navigation for Reels and Stories: Step-by-Step Guide to Making Instagram Reels

As Instagram continues to evolve, the platform has introduced new ways to engage users through dynamic features like Instagram Reels and Stories. One of the most convenient enhancements is gesture-based navigation, which allows users to seamlessly move through content with simple swipes — especially helpful when you want to switch between a reel on Instagram and a Story without tapping. Whether you’re a creator looking to make a reel or a brand trying to boost visibility through Instagram marketing, understanding how to use Instagram Reels efficiently is critical. In this step-by-step guide to creating and navigating Reels, we’ll explore everything from how to create a reel, share it, and optimize your content for success. Let’s dive in.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating and Sharing Reels within the Instagram App

How to Make a Reel on Instagram

To make a reel on Instagram, start by opening the Instagram app on your mobile device. Tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen and select “Reel” from the options. This brings you into the Reels tab interface, where you can begin crafting your content. You’ll have access to various tools like the Instagram music library, speed controls, effects, and the timer. These features make it easier to create engaging short-form video content directly within the Instagram app.

When you’re ready to record, hold down the capture button or upload video clips from your device. You can stitch together multiple segments, add text overlays, stickers, and use filters to enhance the video. The format supports vertical video, optimized for full-screen mobile viewing. Once the raw video is ready, move on to editing.

Uploading and Editing Your Instagram Reel

After recording or uploading, the next step is editing. Instagram offers native tools for video editing, allowing you to trim clips, adjust the layout, and fine-tune audio synchronization. You can also select a reels cover — a still frame or uploaded image that represents your video on your Instagram profile grid and in the reels feed.

Before posting, add a caption and relevant hashtags to increase discoverability. Use keywords that relate to your niche and current reels trends. Tag people or products if applicable, and choose whether your reel will appear in the Instagram Stories, feed, or exclusively in the reels tab. This flexibility allows for strategic content on Instagram deployment.

When I first started using Reels for my online store, I noticed that posting in the late afternoon got more views than in the morning. After consistently uploading at 4 PM, my reach nearly doubled within a month. That’s when I realized the Instagram algorithm really does reward consistency and timing.

Share Your Reel for Maximum Reach

Once satisfied with your edits, tap “Share” to publish your reel. You can choose to share it across multiple destinations: the Instagram profile, the Reels tab, and your Instagram Stories. Make sure your profile is set to public if you want your reel to reach the Instagram algorithm and appear on the Explore page.

For optimal performance, post regularly and analyze Instagram insights to understand how your reels are performing. Sharing your reel during peak activity times and using trending audio can also help boost Instagram engagement. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to use reels for your business, consistently publishing high-quality video content is one of the best ways to grow your audience.

How to Activate Instagram’s Gesture-Based Navigation for Reels and Stories

Using Native Instagram Swipe Gestures

Instagram has enhanced the user experience by introducing gesture-based navigation, allowing you to move quickly between reels and stories without needing to tap or return to the main menu. This feature is native to the Instagram app and doesn’t require any additional settings — just an updated app and a compatible device.

To use it, simply swipe up or down while viewing a reel to go to the next or previous reel. To move between Instagram Stories, swipe left or right. These intuitive gestures streamline the way users use Instagram Reels and consume short-form video content. The experience mimics popular social media platforms like TikTok, reinforcing Instagram’s commitment to dynamic, user-friendly interaction.

If you’re not seeing these features, make sure you’re using the latest version of the Instagram app from the App Store or Google Play. Regular updates often include UI enhancements that make vertical video navigation smoother and more responsive.

Navigating Between Reels and Instagram Stories

To move from a reel to a story (or vice versa), swipe diagonally or use the bottom of the screen navigation bar to tap into the other content stream. For instance, after watching a reel, you can swipe right on the screen to enter the Stories feed, and Instagram will remember where you left off when you return to reels within the app.

Instagram may also prompt users to explore more content using context-aware gestures, like a swipe-up recommendation to visit another user’s profile or check out trending video content. This interconnected behavior aligns with how the Instagram algorithm tracks engagement, which can impact your visibility across the reels feed, Explore, and profile grid.

Understanding and using these gestures not only improves your viewing experience but also helps you navigate more efficiently while managing your Instagram marketing or personal content strategy.

Instagram Reels for Business: Best Practices and Marketing Tips

Why Use Instagram Reels for Your Business

With the rise of short-form video consumption, using Instagram Reels for business has become a powerful strategy for reaching wider audiences. Reels allow brands to showcase products, share behind-the-scenes content, or highlight customer testimonials — all in under 90 seconds. Unlike standard Instagram posts, reels have their own dedicated space in the reels tab, increasing the likelihood of discovery through the Explore page and the Instagram algorithm.

Creating reels for your business also gives you a chance to demonstrate your brand’s personality. Whether you’re a fitness coach, restaurant, or e-commerce brand, video content makes your message more engaging and memorable, especially when paired with popular audio or effects from the Instagram music library.

Aligning Reels With Instagram Marketing Goals

To be effective, reels content must be part of your broader Instagram marketing strategy. Start by identifying your goals — whether it’s driving traffic to your website, increasing followers, or boosting product awareness. Then create a reel on Instagram that directly supports those objectives.

For example, use a step-by-step guide to creating a product tutorial or showcase a time-lapse of your service in action. Make sure to customize your reel with text overlays and call-to-actions like “Visit our profile” or “Shop now.” Posting consistently, especially during peak engagement times, helps train the Instagram algorithm to feature your content more often.

Gymshark used a mix of behind-the-scenes content, influencer takeovers, and workout snippets through Reels. Their Instagram following grew by over 800K in 2023, and Reels accounted for 50% of their engagement.

How the Instagram Algorithm Works for Reels

Understanding how the Instagram algorithm evaluates reels can help your business maximize visibility. Instagram favors content that maintains viewer attention, generates likes, comments, and shares, and aligns with user behavior. Reels that include trending audio, popular hashtags, and clear messaging are more likely to appear in users’ reels feeds or on the Explore page.

Also, Instagram recommends content to users based on their interests, so staying within your niche while producing entertaining or educational reels videos is essential. Monitor your Instagram insights to see which reels are performing best and use that data to refine your future content. High-performing videos for Instagram can lead to increased profile visits and conversions — a win for your overall social media marketing plan.

Designing Engaging Reels: Covers, Trends, and Tools

How to Create an Effective Reels Cover

Your reels cover is the first thing users see in your Instagram profile grid, so making it visually compelling is crucial. You can either select a still frame from the reel or upload a custom image when publishing. The ideal reels cover includes on-brand colors, bold text, and an image that clearly hints at the video’s content. This is especially important if you’re using Instagram Reels for business, where professional appearance impacts credibility.

Make sure your cover is centered properly within the 1:1 square frame for the grid, while still looking good in the vertical preview in the reels tab. This attention to detail improves click-through rates and ensures your video content aligns with the rest of your Instagram content strategy.

Following the Latest Reels Trends

To increase visibility and keep content fresh, pay attention to reels trends — especially those featured in the Instagram app’s Explore section or trending audio clips. Incorporating these into your own style helps you stay relevant while still offering original value.

Trends often include specific audio tracks, transitions, or challenges. Adapting these creatively for your brand keeps content entertaining and aligned with the expectations of Instagram users. You can also browse the reels feed or look at what competitors are doing to stay inspired.

Tools to Create Reels Natively

Instagram offers a variety of built-in tools to create a reel quickly and easily. These include filters, green screen effects, AR enhancements, countdown timers, and align features for seamless transitions between shots. Since these are integrated within the Instagram app, you don’t need third-party editing apps to produce high-quality content.

For businesses looking for added polish, using native tools ensures your reels also meet platform specifications — which can lead to better performance via the reels algorithm. Plus, Instagram rewards content created directly inside the app, making this approach even more strategic.

Using native tools also helps streamline publishing. Once done, you can publish immediately or save as a draft for future use — a useful feature for scheduling video in Instagram alongside your broader social media platform strategy.

Troubleshooting and Optimization for Instagram Reels

Finding Instagram Reels That Don’t Appear

If your reel on Instagram isn’t showing up on your profile, in the reels feed, or in the Explore tab, there could be several reasons. First, ensure your Instagram account is public. Private accounts restrict visibility, making it impossible for non-followers to see your content.

Another issue could stem from app performance. Try restarting or updating the Instagram app, clearing cache, or logging out and back in. Sometimes, your reel may be stuck in processing or flagged by Instagram’s content filters — especially if it includes copyrighted music or violates community guidelines. To avoid this, stick to approved audio from the Instagram music library and follow best practices for publishing reels.

Optimizing Reel Engagement

To maximize engagement, focus on your hook — the first three seconds are critical. Start with a bold visual or question to pull viewers in. Keep your video clips concise and relevant, and end with a strong call-to-action such as “Follow for more” or “Check the link in bio.”

Use captions and on-screen text to enhance storytelling and accessibility, and add interactive elements like polls or stickers when sharing to Instagram Stories. Cross-promoting your reel in other Instagram posts or even on external platforms like Facebook can expand your reach further, especially under the Meta ecosystem.

Regularly check your Instagram insights to see which reels are performing best and refine your approach accordingly. Data like watch time, shares, and saves gives a clear picture of how your video content resonates with your audience.

I wanted to try trending audio but was hesitant because it didn’t align with my brand. I ended up using the trend in a way that reflected my own messaging—and that reel went viral, gaining over 50K views in two days. It taught me that authenticity and trends can work together.

Common Upload and Playback Issues

Technical glitches can sometimes interfere with your ability to make a reel on Insta or play one back smoothly. If you’re facing upload errors, verify your internet connection and check that your video in Instagram meets the platform’s specifications (MP4 format, under 4GB, and between 3 to 90 seconds long).

If your reel appears blurry, it may be due to compression during upload. Shoot your short video in high resolution (ideally 1080×1920), and avoid heavy editing in third-party apps before uploading. Native editing tools are optimized for quality retention within the Instagram app.

Lastly, if your reel won’t play or is freezing, ensure you’re not experiencing a device-related issue. Restart your phone, close background apps, or reinstall Instagram if needed. These steps usually fix most playback and publishing issues.

Conclusion

Mastering how to make a reel on Instagram and navigate content using simple gestures can dramatically improve your Instagram engagement. With gesture-based controls, a native reels tab, and powerful built-in editing tools, the platform makes it easier than ever to create a reel that captures attention. Whether you’re using Instagram Reels for business or just exploring creative ideas, combining strategic video content with smart navigation and posting practices is key. Follow the latest reels trends, optimize your covers and captions, and use insights to guide your approach. With consistency and creativity, reels can help take your Instagram marketing to the next level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal length of Instagram Reels for maximum performance?

Instagram allows reels to be up to 90 seconds, but the ideal length of Instagram reels for engagement is between 15 to 30 seconds. Shorter reels tend to retain attention better and are favored by the Instagram algorithm, especially when you’re posting reels regularly.

How do Instagram Reels compare to TikTok videos?

When comparing reels and TikTok, both offer short-form, vertical video formats with built-in music, editing, and effects. However, Instagram reels benefit from integration within the Instagram app, allowing creators to directly reach followers, appear in the dedicated reels tab, and be featured on the Explore page — all part of the native Instagram feature set.

How can I use Reels to showcase different kinds of content?

There are many kinds of reels you can create, from funny reels and tutorials to product showcases and testimonials. You can feature reels that match your brand’s tone or rotate content types to keep your audience engaged. The more diverse the content, the more chances your reel to your Instagram will attract different viewer segments.

How can I track how my Reels are performing on Instagram?

You can view detailed performance metrics using Instagram Insights, available for business and creator accounts. These insights show how many views, likes, shares, and saves your Instagram reels get, along with reach and engagement rate. Tracking this data helps you improve future content and understand which reels get the most traction with your audience.

How often should I post Reels for better results?

Posting reels regularly — ideally 3–5 times per week — can signal to the Instagram algorithm that you’re an active creator, increasing your chances of visibility. Consistency also helps build an engaged audience over time, especially if you’re experimenting with different formats like funny reels, tutorials, or product demos.

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