Instagram adds a New Branded Content option, including branded content tags in Reels.
Another Day and yet another major update is rolled out by Instagram. I have discussed in my previous blog about Keyword Search Feature coming on Instagram. It now looks like this sensational social media platform has something more for us in the basket.
On November 20, 2020, Instagram announced some updates to the way it distributes and labels branded content that it says are intended to make creation and amplification easier for Influencer and brands. They also hint that sooner they will be adding the same on Instagram Live in the coming weeks.
What brands and Influencer Must Know about Instagram’s new branded content policy?
The Influencer Industry, specifically on Instagram, has grown exponentially over the past several years and is expected to reach over $6 billion by 2021. As the Industry flourishes, rules and regulations are beginning to catch up with influencers and brands. It is all because of the love and growth of followers that help this industry in flourishing further. This makes the Federal Trade Commission to frame strict regulation of Sponsored content.
Now even Instagram is coping with the FTC and announces the adoption of Facebook’s Branded content policy, which states that all branded content be marked using Instagram’s new paid partnership tag.
The changes made in the Instagram policy has significant implication for the Influencer Industry as a whole.
What is meant by Instagram Branded Content Policy?
Instagram Branded content policy states that whenever posting content influenced by a Brand for an exchange of value, creators must use the branded content tool to tag the product, brand, or business partner.
Instagram paid partnership tag, which is a branded content tool, was launched in July 2019. As per the Federal Trade Commission rules, a content creator (Influencer) who uses the paid partnership tag on Instagram must include an additional, approved disclosure such as #sponsored or #ad.
How will Instagram Reels changes the Branded Content Ads Work?
Evolution of Instagram short video service — Reels will continue. This branded content update is highlighted by the launch of the Branded Content Tag on Reels.
The new tags will mean that Instagrammers can formulate more deals with brands and can generate revenue from their Reels content. If worked as per the plans of Instagram, it will give more exposure to this platform and make it’s marked ahead of TikTok.
Apart from this, Instagram is also adding a new process that will enable brands and Influencer to work collaboratively. The brand can request the Influencer to get their brands promoted on the pre-existing post.
As per an Instagram Spokeswomen, the update was designed with creators in mind. This will boost transparency; the new process will allow creators to disclose sponsored content while giving them greater control to more easily approve and pause ads published from the content account.
These tags are part of a new workflow that makes the creation of branded content ads uncomplicated.
Instagram explained its motivation on its blog: “More and more, people are shopping directly from the creators they love on Instagram,” the company wrote. “This new ad format is another way brands can provide a seamless shopping experience on Instagram.”
Conclusion:
Without a doubt, Instagram Reels is looking for more potential to grow. The new tools will provide more opportunities for influencer collaborations, which, as noted, could help give Instagram to outperform TikTok also has its own Creators Marketplace to facilitate Brand Collaborations. If mega Influencer can make money on Instagram Reels, it could hinder TikTok from moving fast enough.
