RIP to comment sections on Instagram because now everyone can finally get into GIFs to posts and reels instead of thoughtful analysis or masterful mockery. So if you’re only on Instagram for comments, you can finally add a GIF of Michael Jackson eating popcorn.
This feature is already enabled for some users limited availability phase. Now Meta has opened up the feature for global use, and it should be available to everyone today. GIFs are pulled from Giphy’s library and can be accessed by tapping the new GIF button on the side of the comment box.
Meta also introduces new Instagram Reels editing capabilities, adding to the new TikTok-like features that dropped last month. “Over the next few weeks,” the press release says, you’ll be able to split video, speed up and slow down clips (slowly), and replace clips in the timeline non-destructively.
After previewing the additions in an Instagram broadcast with Mark Zuckerberg and Adam Mosseri on Monday, the company launched GIF comments and Reels editing updates during a developer workshop in Mumbai, India, where it also announced the release of Instagram Gifts for the Indian market. Meta launches giveaway feature in India so creators there can start monetizing their Reels fans. People can get stars and themed virtual gifts while watching the Reels – and they can GIF while they’re at it.