Fed up with the time limitation of Instagram stories? You’re not alone, as many creators are facing this frustrating situation daily and wonder how long a story can be on Instagram.
The good news is that there are several ways to overcome time barriers, such as automatic splitting, using third-party apps, direct recording, and creating reels.
Whether you’re producing content for business, travel, lifestyle, or personal updates, this guide will show you how to post a long video on Instagram story by using these methods, keeping your audience engaged.
Understanding Instagram Story Duration
Before learning how to exceed the Instagram story limit, it’s important to understand the standard Instagram story duration rules.
- Each story slide can be a maximum of 15 seconds, and Instagram may automatically trim videos up to 60 seconds.
- Any video longer than 60 seconds will stop after the first minute unless manually split into smaller segments.
- It means even if you upload a 1-minute clip, it won’t appear as one continuous video.
People prefer to extend their 60 seconds Instagram story limit because it makes detailed tutorials, vlogs, or behind-the-scenes footage easier to follow and digest. This also gives you more watch time on your videos, as people stay engaged with your content till the end.
Detailed Guide: How to Make An Instagram Story Longer?
If you are worried about how to go beyond the above Instagram story boundaries? Here are some effective methods that allow your Instagram story to be longer than 15 seconds without awkward jumps or cuts.
1. Automatically Split Videos Within Instagram
One of the easiest solutions for how to post a long video on Instagram is using Instagram’s automatic trimming tool. When you upload a video up to 60 seconds:
- Open the Instagram Story camera, select a long video.
- Instagram automatically divides it into 15-second slides.
- You can then edit each part individually.
- Post all segments for a smooth, continuous story.
2. Make Your Story Longer With Reels
Another smart trick is using reels. Reels allow 60 to 90 seconds, depending on the latest updates. Here’s how to use them for longer Stories:
- Upload your long clip as a reel.
- After posting, tap share to story.
- The reel will appear in the story with more than 15 seconds visible.
- For full-length story uploads, download the reel and split it afterward.
3. Longer Stories With Third-Party Apps
However, Instagram offers basic editing tools, but once your video is over 60 seconds, Instagram won’t auto-split it completely. This is where third-party apps like InShot, CapCut, and Story Cutter help you to divide your content.
To use them:
- Import your long video into the app.
- Choose the “split into 15-second clips” option.
- Export the segmented clips.
- Upload them sequentially to the Instagram story.
4. Record Longer Stories Live on Instagram
Sometimes the easiest way to post a longer Story is to record directly within Instagram, letting the app handle splitting automatically. If you prefer filming live, then:
- Hold the recording button in the Story camera.
- Instagram automatically divides videos into 15-second clips.
- Each clip becomes a separate story slide.
- You can further add stickers, texts, and music to each clip.
Wrapping Up
Let’s get the freedom to upload your story on Instagram without time limitations and interruptions. By using the above tricks, you’ll get the potential to upload your richer, engaging, and professional content on Instagram story, keeping your audience engaged till the end.
Take your Instagram stories to the next level by partnering with Swift Animation. With our 14 years of experience, we specialize in creating visually stunning, high-quality animated content designed to help you maximize engagement through Instagram stories.
