Instagram has finally rolled out a new feature many creators have been anticipating, which allows embedding a series of related Reels into one another. Being rolled out worldwide, as of August, it adds a Watch Next or Part 2 button to the bottom left of Reels, so users can move to the next video without leaving the corresponding screen. It is a game changer to storytelling, which is often done by creators who publish not just one but a series of tutorials, their episodic pieces or topic-focused stories.
The feature eliminates a longtime headache, where creators had to depend on captions that say, “check back tomorrow to read Part 2”, or trust that browsers will navigate their profiles. Henceforth, attaching Reels directly in the upload process or later in the overflow menu automatically combines them into a logical flow, so they don’t need to be found by swiping and searching.
Where demos are based on a series of clips, this tool enables you to create a multi-step process to facilitate an intuitive procedure. Notably, it can engage viewers for longer periods and encourage more engagement, which turns one-time viewers into full-fledged followers.
The new service on Instagram equates the functions found on TikTok, where linked videos and series are standard ways of storytelling. Meta has experienced increasing creator pressure to make it simpler to preserve sequential content and this rollout is aimed at meeting such requirements.
According to Analytics firm eMarketer, Reels now make up about 20 percent of ad impressions on Instagram, giving structured formats even more value to creators and brands.
Reels Linking: A Positive Step Towards Growth
Linked Reels on Instagram can become a powerful tool not only for storytelling but also for audience retention. By using the multi-part content to help guide users through a particular sequence, creators can ensure value is added through multiple interactions in a natural process. This alone increases screen time and can maximize visibility by way of the Instagram algorithm, more than a purchased like ever could.
As Meta refines its creator tools, such as linked Reels, creators and marketers will need to learn how to handle genuine strategies. They need to leverage Reels Linking by organizing content in a way that flows logically to capture attention and retain viewers. Additionally, they should invest in good content by focusing on production value, storytelling and meaningful engagement is a good investment instead of shortcuts.
Instagram’s new tool demonstrates a positive change in priorities on the platform towards substance over short-term gains. With creators increasingly adopting technologies that encourage more structured storytelling, the social media community will have a greater chance of connecting with viewers in a significant manner and avoiding the temptation and legal perils of the black market.
How Creators Can Link a Reel
In the new development, Instagram has simplified the way of linking Reels to make it easier. This will result in an additional step in the uploading process where Reel Users will find an added selection beneath the caption box to attach a Reel. When clicking this feature, creators will be able to link a particular Reel.
The creator cannot have more than one Reel linked at a time, and they are requested to enter the title of their linked post. This only appears on the Reel it is attached to and can be updated or deleted at a future date. If no title is added, the default label is created with the name, Linked reel. The system will require that a custom title have at least 15 characters.
After the selection and title are completed, the linking is achieved by tapping ok and then Share. After its creation, the user has the option of editing or unlinking their content. When a Reel is unlinked, it is no longer shown as part of the linked sequence.
What Linked Reels Means in Marketing and Visibility
In Germany, for instance, the new Multi-Reel Series capability provides marketers with a new, powerful means of telling stories in sequence, maintaining viewer engagement even as they scroll past the initial sequence of posts, and maximizing the amount of time viewers spend watching.
One example is a German fashion retailer that wants to introduce a new autumn line. It can use a Multi-Reel Series to show viewers how they went through fabric choice to runway show in three or four connected ads, and the viewers will be prompted to follow the steps. When coupled with the use of legitimate likes, those obtained from sites that sell Instagram likes in Germany derived from genuine interactions or subscription-based campaigns, this approach will be both credible and free of algorithmic punishment, and will build genuine trust among followers.