What are the main differences between TikTok and Instagram Reels?
Posted: Tue Jan 21, 2025 6:38 am
The first major difference is that TikTok is a dedicated app, so you have access to videos as soon as you open the app. On Facebook's platform, Instagram Reels are one format among others (like Stories) available from the browser page or a dedicated tab.
2. More developed features on TikTok
When it comes to audio , TikTok stands out. It offers its users the possibility of creating their own sounds and, why not, being part of the trends of the moment.
If TikTok is now a hit with millennials, it is partly thanks to its video editing tool . The editing possibilities are almost endless. Instagram also offers a library of effects, which is somewhat less extensive.
For a long time, TikTok was the only platform that offered videos of up to 60 seconds. This leaves room for creativity and enough time to convey a brand message. Instagram Reels can now also be up to 60 seconds long.
Instagram is gaining ground in e-commerce, which is one of the reasons why it has quickly become the number 1 platform where brands are investing in influencer marketing. The good news is that the platform now offers shopping functionality to Reels.
3. The race for statistics on both platforms
In terms of statistics , things are moving forward, as Instagram has introduced some new features to the professional dashboard. Brands and content creators now have access to essential data on the reach of their content: number of accounts reached, number of saves and number of shares. This brings it up to speed with its competitor TikTok, which already offered detailed analytics to its users.
Instagram data, combined with platform purchases, allows content creators to better reach and monetize their target audiences.
4. A specific target for each social network
Finally, a very important point when defining your influence strategy , the audiences a vp media email database re not the same on TikTok and on Instagram.
The TikTok user is a very young woman, between 13 and 24 years old. On Instagram, users are slightly older, between 25 and 34 years old.
TikTok users appear to be very active on the platform. In addition to spending time on it (1 hour(4) per day on average, compared to 30 minutes(5) on Instagram), they readily interact with the content they receive: likes, comments, shares.
The engagement rate on TikTok is skyrocketing , unlike on Instagram, where it even tends to decline. The competition is tougher on Instagram, as you have to manage to emerge among a community of 1.386 billion(5) monthly active users worldwide (compared to 732 million(6) monthly active users on Tik Tok).
An easier-to-understand algorithm on TikTok
One of the biggest concerns for content creators or brands on social media is undoubtedly the algorithm. On TikTok, the “For You” page breaks all records by selecting curated content based on viewing history. This is TikTok’s strong point: suggesting new videos to members of its community. It doesn’t matter if you are a subscriber of the creators behind the content or not. On Instagram, on the other hand, users see video content from people they are subscribed to. The “Explore” section and the “Reels” tab seem to remain very underused.
The good news is that you don't need to be famous or have a huge following to stand out on TikTok . This is a great argument for brands that want to make themselves known through a viral campaign. The challenge is to create buzz with engaging content to get a favorable rating from the platform. The more interactions your content generates, the more chances you have of being visible.
2. More developed features on TikTok
When it comes to audio , TikTok stands out. It offers its users the possibility of creating their own sounds and, why not, being part of the trends of the moment.
If TikTok is now a hit with millennials, it is partly thanks to its video editing tool . The editing possibilities are almost endless. Instagram also offers a library of effects, which is somewhat less extensive.
For a long time, TikTok was the only platform that offered videos of up to 60 seconds. This leaves room for creativity and enough time to convey a brand message. Instagram Reels can now also be up to 60 seconds long.
Instagram is gaining ground in e-commerce, which is one of the reasons why it has quickly become the number 1 platform where brands are investing in influencer marketing. The good news is that the platform now offers shopping functionality to Reels.
3. The race for statistics on both platforms
In terms of statistics , things are moving forward, as Instagram has introduced some new features to the professional dashboard. Brands and content creators now have access to essential data on the reach of their content: number of accounts reached, number of saves and number of shares. This brings it up to speed with its competitor TikTok, which already offered detailed analytics to its users.
Instagram data, combined with platform purchases, allows content creators to better reach and monetize their target audiences.
4. A specific target for each social network
Finally, a very important point when defining your influence strategy , the audiences a vp media email database re not the same on TikTok and on Instagram.
The TikTok user is a very young woman, between 13 and 24 years old. On Instagram, users are slightly older, between 25 and 34 years old.
TikTok users appear to be very active on the platform. In addition to spending time on it (1 hour(4) per day on average, compared to 30 minutes(5) on Instagram), they readily interact with the content they receive: likes, comments, shares.
The engagement rate on TikTok is skyrocketing , unlike on Instagram, where it even tends to decline. The competition is tougher on Instagram, as you have to manage to emerge among a community of 1.386 billion(5) monthly active users worldwide (compared to 732 million(6) monthly active users on Tik Tok).
An easier-to-understand algorithm on TikTok
One of the biggest concerns for content creators or brands on social media is undoubtedly the algorithm. On TikTok, the “For You” page breaks all records by selecting curated content based on viewing history. This is TikTok’s strong point: suggesting new videos to members of its community. It doesn’t matter if you are a subscriber of the creators behind the content or not. On Instagram, on the other hand, users see video content from people they are subscribed to. The “Explore” section and the “Reels” tab seem to remain very underused.
The good news is that you don't need to be famous or have a huge following to stand out on TikTok . This is a great argument for brands that want to make themselves known through a viral campaign. The challenge is to create buzz with engaging content to get a favorable rating from the platform. The more interactions your content generates, the more chances you have of being visible.