How to Make a Reel on Instagram? Reels Size, Music Explained! AI Reels Generator Recommendation

Instagram Reels are short, creative videos designed for reach and discoverability, whereas Instagram Stories focus more on real-time sharing and personal interaction.

Unlike Stories that disappear after 24 hours, Reels offer a full viewing experience with synced visuals, captions, and background music. They have a higher chance of appearing on the Explore page, making them more visible to potential followers compared to regular posts or images. Here's a comparison between Reels and Stories:

Reels are better suited for branding and content creation, while Stories excel at short-term engagement and instant interaction.

Want to create high-performing Instagram Reels? This guide walks you through the entire process—from using your phone's built-in features to leveraging AI reel generators. Whether you're a content creator, brand marketer, or new to social media, follow these steps to craft engaging Reels!

1. Launch the Instagram Reels Feature

Open Instagram, tap the "+" icon at the bottom, and select "Reel" to get started.

2. Record or Upload Footage

Use the built-in camera to film in real-time or upload existing clips from your gallery. You can combine multiple clips. No footage? Try Genape's AI reel generator—just input a script, topic, or scenario, and the AI will create dynamic assets like background animations, branded intros, and scene fillers. Save these to your phone for editing.

3. Import Clips into the Reels Editor

Whether you use real footage or AI-generated video, you can edit them all within the Reels editor. AI-generated video content can be used for transitions, intros, or to highlight visual elements and increase viewer retention.

4. Add Music to Your Reel

After uploading your footage, choose background music—either from Instagram’s trending suggestions or via search.

5. Edit Your Reel with Captions, Stickers, and Voiceovers

Instagram Reels includes editing tools to trim clips, add captions, record voiceovers, and insert interactive stickers. You can also overlay photos or videos for added visual interest.

6. Write a Caption and Add Hashtags

Add a compelling caption and relevant hashtags. Tag friends, set the location, and choose where to publish your Reel. For caption inspiration, try the GenApe caption and hashtag generator to boost your post’s performance.

7. Preview and Publish

Once done, preview your Instagram Reel to ensure everything flows well. If needed, go back to edit. When ready, hit publish!

Reel Length and Dimensions

Ready to start making reels? Before you begin, make sure you know the ideal Instagram reel size and aspect ratio to avoid stretching or cropping issues.

We recommend using GenApe's AI reel maker early in the process to quickly generate themed visuals and streamline your Instagram reel creation.

What Tools Do People Use for Reels?

Instagram Reels and Instagram Edits are popular for editing, and you can also use GenApe’s free AI reel creator for unique, customized assets.

How Long Can Reels Be?

Reels can be up to 3 minutes long, and support uploads over 15 seconds.

How to Increase Reel Views?

Use trending music, captions, post consistently, and leverage Genape’s AI reel tools to create eye-catching, personalized content.

How to Hide Like Counts on IG Reels?

Tap the "..." on your Reel > Manage > Hide Like Count.

What If You Lack Footage?

Use Genape’s AI reel generator—input your topic or image and get instant short video output such as animated backgrounds or scene transitions.

Use the Genape AI video generator to create stunning short videos—just enter a short prompt or upload an image to generate branded content like motion graphics, animated intros, and visual transitions, ready for use in Reels. It’s perfect for creators who need assets fast or want to make their reels more polished, engaging, and memorable.