Facebook Reels vs. Instagram Reels: Which Is Better for Your Business?
Nothing says up to the minute like social media, and video is the place to be in 2025. Short-form video is eating the world, and it is not going away. From influencers to new platforms and then their changing algorithms, businesses need to learn how to make social media videos and on which platforms.
So, let me discuss Facebook Reels vs Instagram Reels. Which one should you use? Let's break it down.
While both Facebook Reels and Instagram Reels are short-form video formats, they contain separate features. Facebook Reels is in the Facebook app, and Instagram Reels, naturally, are on Instagram.
Choosing between the two is a matter of your specific needs. Facebook tends to have an older audience (and an older user base), while Instagram skews younger. So, if you’re looking for an older demographic, then maybe Facebook Reels are for you. But if you’re targeting a younger audience, Instagram Reels might be more your speed.
Ultimately though, the right platform for you depends on the audience and goals. So reflect on who you want to reach and what you want to accomplish with your videos. With the right approach, you can leverage both Facebook Reels and Instagram Reels to your advantage.
What exactly are reels?
Reels, widely adopted in recent years on platforms like Snapchat and TikTok, are essentially full-screen, vertical videos that have become a sensation in social media. Now, Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has embraced them. Before we delve into their distinctions, let's establish what reels mean within the realms of Facebook and Instagram.
What Are Facebook Reels?
From a technical perspective, Facebook Reels are vertical videos up to 90 seconds long — a recent extension of the previous 60-second limit, giving creators more time to tell their stories — but potentially as short as 0.3 seconds. They include effects, music, or original audio, and they are featured all over the platform: next to Stories — the vertical videos users capture and share in real-time, in the menu, Messenger, and within Facebook groups.
Reels — described by Facebook as “a new way to create short, entertaining videos, get discovered by new audiences and be part of cultural moments on Facebook” — hold attractive opportunities for small businesses and brands. The potential audience reach is significant, especially with Facebook having double the user base in comparison to Instagram, and Reels also being available in over 150 countries since its initial launch in 2021.
In addition, Meta, Facebook's parent company, has launched "Grooves," a tool that matches videos to the beat of added music, making them more watch-moving and engaging. Further to this, Meta has introduced a new approach to advertising in Facebook Reels, called ‘Collection ads’, which allows advertisers to display multiple products within one ad, which helps increase commercial impact potentially driving more sales and revenue.
What Are Instagram Reels?
That includes understanding Instagram Reels. And preceded Facebook Reels by a year, launching in 2020, as part of Instagram’s bid to remain competitive and the popularity of video content.
Like Facebook Reels, Instagram’s version offers vertical videos, which can be embellished with text, special effects , and audio. Instagram has also been quite active in developing Reels, facilitating the browse to trending audio and hashtags recently. This enables creators to develop more effective content that will see greater traction and extend the reach of their business.
In addition, Instagram has re – introduced the entire Reels editing experience, making it easier to add and edit each element of your videos, as well as to create a user-friendly atmosphere for creators.
Facebook Reels for Online Business
Facebook Reels is a fantastic way for businesses to grow their reach, sending traffic to their website and building a community. It’s a simple process — you can either shoot a Reel live or recycle existing photo and video content. Simply add a description, choose your audience, and you are ready to publish!
This means you might need to put in a solid amount of work into your Reels if you want to get the maximum number of views. Choose audio, use hashtags and target the best audience to increase engagement. This led the businesses to understand that quality content matters and needs to be unique, engaging, relatable, or even thought-provoking.
Think about practical applications: if you owned a hair salon, film your customers beaming in their new do. An artist preparing for a gallery exhibition might give followers an insider peek behind the curtain. These are a few examples of how businesses can use Reels creatively to reach their audience and market their brand.
Instagram Reels for Online Business
Instagram Reels allows you to go with live or pre-recorded videos and photos. Instagram has much more editing options and AI effects than Facebook Reels. You can also tag and mention other accounts to boost your reach and engagement.
Using Reels is a powerful way to do this, as having them on your main feed can help entice your current audience to interact with that content, as well as bring in new viewers within the space in which Reels is operating. The inclusion of title images in your Reels allows viewers to grasp the theme of your content.
Business owners want to utilize Instagram so they can try including interactive features such as voting and polls. Questioning will also be an effective tactic, it encourages those in the comments to get the discussion ball rolling, or, you could even run some competitions! Since Instagram Reels are public only when users allow, the "tag a friend for a chance to win" type of competition can be very fruitful. If duly followed, these methods can help the brands to grab hold of a larger audience through Instagram Reels.
Facebook Reels Vs Instagram Reels(What Is The Best Choice For You)
While there are similarities between Instagram and Facebook Reels, there are also some key differences. Since both platforms are owned by Meta and overlap, these types of connections are expected.
Both Instagram and Facebook Reels are also based on the same fundamental idea — making short, entertaining video content to target new audiences and increase engagement among existing users. Successful content can even be monetized, with both platforms making bonuses available for content that exceeds 1,000 views in 30 days.
However, there are significant differences, especially in audience demographics. Facebook is globally the biggest social network with a variegated audience by age. Such mass reach dub-tables it to businesses that are looking for greater exposure. By contrast, Instagram’s audience is younger and more attuned to lifestyle and culture. These demographics mean that businesses in particular sectors like food, fashion, or fitness might find Instagram more useful—if they are targeting a similar audience.
There are also technical differences. Facebook Reels from brands and creators are set to public by default, which means they can show up in feeds for users who don’t follow you (they’re also going to be showing up in the main feed). Reels can be cross-posted through to Facebook, but not the other way around.
Which platform you choose will depend on your audience. From platforms, others are more specific such as Facebook – better for brands aiming for an older or global audience, and Instagram – ideal for brands that target a younger or niche demographic. However, content made for one can still be repurposed for the other. So, it is recommended to align your channels on Instagram and Facebook, to yield optimum results by testing both sides.
Tips for Creating Effective Reels
It can be difficult to navigate social media with trends shifting constantly. But one trend that is here to stay is video.
Short videos are trending in 2024 and are a huge deal for social media marketing. With influencers, emerging platforms, and social media algorithms constantly evolving, brands must be familiar with how to utilize video on various platforms.
Now, let us discuss Facebook Reels and Instagram Reels. They’re both owned by the same company, Meta, and they’re related in certain ways. They’re both about creating short, entertaining videos that expose you to new audiences and re-engage with your current followers. And if your videos perform well, you can even earn money from them.
Facebook Reels are vertical videos that have a maximum length of 90 seconds. There can be effects, music, or audio, and you’ll see them in various spots around Facebook. And given how many millions of individuals use Facebook, they’re a great means for companies to get in front of a ton of people.
Instagram Reels are very similar. They were released a year before Facebook Reels, in 2020. Like Facebook Reels, they’re about creating brief videos that are not difficult to view and share. Instagram Reels also has great features such as searching for popular music and hashtags, as well as intuitive video editing features.
Reels can be used for your business to reach more people and increase your followers. For Facebook Reels, you can either film a video in real-time using the app or pull in the photos and video you already have. Be sure to select good music and grab more people to watch your videos by using hashtags. Use live or pre-recorded videos and photos for Instagram Reels. Put your Reels on your main profile for your current followers to spot and include title photos so your audience knows what your videos are about.
Each platform has its economic advantages and disadvantages. Facebook has a larger audience, but Instagram is more popular among younger people. You can share Facebook Reels to be discovered by anyone, but Instagram Reels are private (by default). It helps to consider your audience and the sort of media you wish to produce.
Ultimately, you can use both platforms to find out which one is best for your business. Test and see what your audience responds to! Also, bear in mind you can put the same content on both mediums to hit more audiences!
Summary
Thank you for reading! We also hope this article has helped explain the differences between Facebook Reels and Instagram Reels. Even though Instagram Reels may feel like the more professional and established platform, never underestimate Facebook Reels and their potential reach to large audiences.
Regardless of what your business or industry entails, just know video content is king, and Reels are a great way to grow your social presence. We suggest testing with Instagram and Facebook Reels. Widening your net — You have a better chance of going viral on both!
FAQ: Facebook Reels vs Instagram Reels
1. What is the primary thing that differentiates Facebook Reels from Instagram Reels?
That said, Facebook Reels have a wider reach, while Instagram Reels are more focused on youth and trends.
2. What is the best platform for my business?
It ultimately rests on who you are targeting—in the case of brand visibility and engagement, Instagram, in the case of broader reach and diversity, Facebook.
3. Should I share the same Reel on both platforms?
Yes, while Meta has cross-posting, you want to customize every post for each platform.
4. What platform do you think provides better engagement?
However, Instagram Reels tend to drive higher interactions, while Facebook Reels have a greater potential organic reach.
5. Can I monetize my Reels?
Yes, just like ads, brand partnerships, and in-app shopping links, monetization options are available on both platforms.
