Instagram began rolling out Features, a long-form video format, to select US creators on October 26, 2026. Videos can run up to 90 minutes, which pushes Instagram into YouTube territory. The company says the test will expand in the coming months.
For self-employed creators, this could become a second home for podcasts, interviews, and vlogs. It also raises a practical question: will long videos on Instagram actually pay?
What Features Actually Does
Features lets creators post full-length videos in a horizontal layout instead of the vertical Reels format. Instagram tested the idea with creators in Brazil first.
The US group is small for now, and Instagram has not said how many creators it includes. The company pitches the format for podcasts, interviews, comedy specials, and vlogs that do not fit a short vertical clip.
A companion tool called Clips as Reels lets a creator link up to eight short clips to a longer video. A short Reel hooks the viewer, then points to the full episode. Instagram also plans to let people use a phone as a remote for its connected TV app.
Why This Matters For Self-Employed Creators
Money is the open question. Instagram says Features will support more ways to earn and partner with brands, but it gave no specifics. One report on the launch says views alone pay close to nothing on Instagram.
Pay appears only when a brand deal comes with the video. That gap leaves solo creators guessing whether a 90-minute edit is worth their time.
YouTube offers a useful comparison. Citing VidIQ, the same report puts YouTube long-form pay at roughly $1 to $10 per 1,000 views.
VidIQ also estimates that top YouTube creators with over a million followers earn about $50,000 a month. The average Instagram creator earns $5,000 to $15,000.
What Self-Employed Creators Should Do Next
Do not rebuild your content plan yet. If you already record a podcast or interview series, check whether Features has appeared in your account. Then cut your best moments into Reels and see whether they send viewers to the full episode.
A few test videos cost little and show how your audience responds. Track follows, saves, and link clicks for two weeks, so real numbers guide your next move.
Keep your main long-form library on a platform that pays you directly. Treat Instagram as a discovery channel for now.
If you sell sponsorships, ask brands how they value a long-form placement before you quote a rate. Save a copy of every video you upload, so you can move it later.
What To Watch Next
Watch for Instagram to publish eligibility rules and a payout plan. The Instagram TV app is also available on Apple TV in the US, which gives long videos a bigger screen.
A clear revenue share would change the math for solo creators overnight. Without one, Features will depend on brand deals that you negotiate yourself.
Series, which groups Reels by topic, is also rolling out more widely. Planning your clips around a clear topic may help them travel further as both tools grow.
Expect more format changes soon. Instagram keeps reshaping its creator tools, as its decision to remove Reels Series linking on October 28 shows. Check your settings often, and read each announcement for what it means for your income.
