Spotlight v1.6 has been released this week and we’re thrilled to announce a groundbreaking update that will take your website’s user experience to new heights!
Now, with the latest release, you can seamlessly embed and play Instagram Reels directly on your website. Engage your visitors with captivating and interactive content, showcasing the best of Instagram Reels without redirecting them to the platform.
An Instagram timeline
Ever since its inception, Instagram has been a hub for captivating visuals. In August 2020, Instagram introduced Instagram Reels, revolutionizing the way people, creators, and businesses create and discover short, entertaining videos. This innovative feature allowed users to record and edit 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and exciting creative tools.
Building upon this success, Instagram merged IGTV and feed videos in October 2021, introducing Instagram Video as a unified format. This amalgamation made it easier for users to explore and enjoy a diverse range of video content. Instagram also introduced the Video tab on profiles, providing a dedicated space for video content.
Recognizing the evolving video trends and user preferences, Instagram simplified its experience in July 2022 by consolidating video posts under fifteen minutes as reels. This consolidation unified the video and Reels tabs on profiles, creating a centralized hub for all your videos. Previously posted videos would remain as videos and wouldn’t transition into Reels.
How did all this affect Spotlight?
While Spotlight has always allowed users to display and play videos from their Instagram feeds, Instagram’s API had restrictions applied specifically to Reels. Previously, when users viewed Reels in a popup lightbox, a note encouraged them to watch the reel on Instagram itself.
Exciting news! We’re thrilled to share that Instagram has lifted some of these restrictions, enabling your reels to play directly within your Instagram feed on your website through Spotlight. This update provides a seamless viewing experience for your audience, enhancing engagement and convenience.
However, it’s important to note that certain restrictions still remain in place. Reels featuring copyrighted material, such as copyrighted music, and not-safe-for-work content will continue to display the familiar “View Reel on Instagram” link.
Let’s look at how to show your Instagram reels on your website.
How to show Instagram reels on your website
Once you’ve installed and activated Spotlight, create a new feed showcasing your Instagram posts. Next, select the template you’d like to use, for instance, the Brick template.
Then, select the account you’d like to show.
To showcase your reels only, go to Feed Options > Types of posts > Reels only.
To view your reels on your website, go to Feed Options > Open posts in > Popup box.
And there you have it!
All you need to do now is embed it on your post or page using the dedicated WordPress block, shortcode, or Elementor widget.
Boosting Engagement with Reels
Now that you understand how to display Instagram Reels, let’s dive into a few expert tips on how you can best showcase this dynamic feature to enhance your website engagement:
Reels Carousel
These versatile templates allow you to create captivating, multi-slide Reels that keep your audience hooked from start to finish. With Carousel Templates, you can showcase step-by-step tutorials, share product features, or tell engaging stories in a visually stunning and interactive format. By providing users with a seamless swipe-through experience, Carousel Templates boost user engagement, encourage longer viewing sessions, and leave a lasting impression.
Masonry Feed
This innovative template allows you to display your Reels in their entirety, capturing the attention of your audience and providing an immersive viewing experience. With its dynamic layout, the Brick template beautifully arranges your Reels in a grid-like fashion, allowing users to explore and engage with each individual video effortlessly. No more cropped or truncated content!
Portfolio
With a Portfolio Template, you can now present your Reels alongside their captivating captions in a visually striking format. This powerful template allows you to curate a gallery-style portfolio that seamlessly integrates your videos and their accompanying text, giving your audience a holistic viewing experience. Whether you’re a content creator, an artist, or a business showcasing your products, the Portfolio template provides a professional and aesthetically pleasing platform to showcase your Reels and convey your message effectively.
Start showcasing your Instagram reels on your website today
Remember, Instagram Reels provides an excellent opportunity to engage with your audience on a whole new level. Try Spotlight today, embrace the creative freedom it offers and let your imagination soar.
We’re extremely excited to see what you’ll create using this new feature!
