Overview

• Instagram's 2x speed playback feature for Reels was officially announced on March 27, 2025, and is now available to users.
• The feature enables viewers to fast-forward Reels by pressing and holding on the left or right side of the screen, offering quicker content consumption.
• This update reflects user demand for faster ways to engage with longer videos, addressing attention span and time constraints.
• Reels, originally launched in 2020 with a 15-second video limit, now supports videos up to three minutes long, with the 2x speed feature exclusive to Reels.
• The addition aligns with Instagram's ongoing strategy to compete with TikTok, which introduced a similar playback option in 2023.