How Long Can Instagram Story Be?

Instagram Stories typically offer content creators more freedom as they will disappear in 24 hours. This means that you can experiment with various formats and see what works best for your audience without having to worry about ruining the way your feed looks. 

Recently, longer content started becoming more and more popular. Users are ready to engage with a 10-minute-long story, as long as it’s an interesting one. And what better way to share a few fun life episodes than with the help of Instagram Stories?

Understanding Instagram Story length limitations will help you make sure that you manage to deliver the message in the best way possible (and collect quite a few reactions and comments along the way!). 

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Instagram Story Length: How It All Started

When Instagram first launched Stories, each segment had a strict 15-second limit. However, the company has made some big changes over time to keep up with what people want and how they want to consume content. 

The platform made a big update in 2022 by letting creators share longer videos on Stories — up to 60 seconds, as opposed to just 15. This has completely changed how content can be shared on the platform.

How Long Can Instagram Story Be?

Video Stories

Right now, the longest you can make a video story is 60 seconds. This goes for:

• Videos recorded within app
• Videos uploaded from the gallery
• Videos created using various third-party apps

Photo Stories

Static image Stories have slightly different timing rules.

Each photo Story is displayed for only 7 seconds. But users can always choose to tap and hold to pause the Story (they can do the same with videos, by the way).

How to Make Instagram Stories Longer

Native Methods to Extend Time

If you're working with a video that's more than a minute long, the platform gives you a few different choices:

1. Instagram automatically breaks up videos longer than 60 seconds into multiple Story posts so you can keep watching seamlessly.
2. If you want to put together a story that you can use for a number of days, months, or even years, Highlights could be a great solution. You and your users can access these collections of Stories as many times as you like, forever.

How to Make Your Instagram Story Longer: More Complicated Techniques

To get the most out of your Story length, here's what you need to do:

1. Pre-edit content

• Trim videos down to the optimal length before you upload them.
• Think strategically about the content you include in each segment.
• Make sure the segments flow smoothly into one another.

2. Use various Story features

• It's a good idea to add some engagement elements like polls and questions.
• Add some interactive stickers to help keep viewers engaged.
• Think about using countdown timers for extended narratives.

How to Pick the Best Length for Your Stories? 

Consider What Type of Content You’re Sharing

How long does Instagram Story last? Different content types call for different timing strategies.

1. Educational Content

• Keep segments concise and focused.
• Use the full minute when explaining complex topics.
• Break longer tutorials into logical sequences.

2. Entertainment Content

• Match pacing to content style.
• Consider attention spans.
• Use shorter segments for dynamic content.

3. Promotional Content

• Front-load key messages.
• Maintain viewer interest with varied visuals.
• Include clear calls-to-action.

Keeping Your Viewers Engaged

The best results are typically achieved when:

• Individual Stories stay between 15-30 seconds
• Total Story sequences don't exceed 8-10 segments
• Content varies between video and static images

Let’s Get Techy!

No matter your Instagram Story time limit, here are a few requirements that you would have to meet to ensure smooth uploading and playback:

• Resolution: 1080 x 1920 pixels (9:16 aspect ratio)
• Format: MP4 or MOV
• Maximum file size: 4GB
• Frame rate: 30fps recommended

Bear in mind that the platform does not support 4K.

Instagram Stories Duration: Common Issues and Fixes

Why Aren’t My Stories Uploading?

• Make sure you're using the latest version of the Instagram app. The company often releases updates that include bug fixes and improved functionality for Stories. 
• Another key factor is file format compatibility. While the platform supports MP4 and MOV files, different codecs within these formats can cause issues. To make sure their videos work perfectly, content creators should use H.264 encoding and AAC audio codec.
• Having a reliable internet connection is key to getting your stories uploaded successfully, especially if you're uploading longer videos. If your internet is unstable, it can cause problems with your upload. If you're having issues, try switching between Wi-Fi and your mobile data to see if that helps. 
• Cache-related issues can have a big impact on uploads, regardless of Instagram Story length. Over time, Instagram's app cache builds up temporary files that can interfere with new uploads and extend time needed to get the video published. Cleaning out the app's cache can help resolve a lot of unexpected upload failures. Before reinstalling, however, be sure to save any draft posts or Stories you want to keep.

Am I Using the Wrong Format?

• Video compression is key when you're working with high-quality footage. Uncompressed video files often exceed Instagram's file size limits, so you need to compress them before uploading. But too much compression can ruin the video quality, which you'll notice on your Story. Professional content creators usually have a compression workflow that balances file size with visual quality. You can give Veed.io, FreeConvert, or Video Candy a try. 
• When you're converting videos between formats, it's important to keep an eye on the aspect ratio and frame rate. Instagram Stories need a vertical 9:16 aspect ratio, but the content often comes from different formats. If you're converting from horizontal to vertical, think carefully about the framing and you might need to get creative with editing to make sure the important bits stay visible in the final Story.
• Another important thing to think about is resolution adjustment. It's best to format videos at 1080 x 1920 pixels before uploading to avoid any unexpected cropping or quality loss during Instagram's processing.

Why Can't I Upload a 1 minute Story on Instagram?

If you're having trouble uploading your stories, just check that your app is up to date and then double-check your internet connection. 

If that doesn’t help, you can try logging out of your account. In the worst-case scenario, it might be worth deleting and then re-uploading the app. 

Creative Strategies When Taking Advantage of Instagram Story Max Length

The Art of Storytelling

• To create effective longer narratives through Instagram Stories, it's important to make sure your visuals are consistent. 

Using the same visual style throughout your video keeps the viewers engaged and makes it a more enjoyable watch. It's not just about using similar filters or color palettes. It also covers things like font choices, graphic elements, and transition styles. 

Professional content creators often put together style guides just for their Story content to make sure everything looks the same from one segment to the next.

• When you're working with longer, split-up stories, it's important to keep the narrative flowing smoothly. 

Each section should flow naturally into the next, making it easy for viewers to keep watching. This could involve using suspenseful endings or teasers at the end of each section or using storytelling techniques to build anticipation for what's next. 

Content creators often find success by storyboarding their sequences ahead of time, making sure each section contributes to the overall narrative.

• Progress indicators help viewers see where they are in your story sequence and how much content they still need to see. 

These can look different, from simple numbered parts to more creative images that match your brand style. Some creators use their own progress bars or time limits to show where something is in the sequence, while others put the information right into their content through storytelling techniques. 

The main thing is that these cues should seem natural and not be in the way, but still give viewers useful info.

The Art of Content Planning

• It’s All About Balance

When it comes to Instagram Story length, the segments work best when the info you share is just right — not too dense and overwhelming, and not too sparse and boring. 

Content creators often map out their info flow to make sure they're sharing the right amount of info at the right time. This might mean mixing up the types of content you share, with some info-rich segments and some lighter, more engaging ones to keep viewers interested.

• The Power of Surprise Elements

If you want people to keep watching your videos, it's important to mix things up along the way. This isn't just about changing the visuals, it's also about varying the pacing, and the style of presentation, and using Instagram's interactive features in a strategic way. 

One thing that experienced creators often do is throw in a pattern break – something unexpected that grabs the viewer's attention and keeps them engaged. This could be a sudden change in style, a surprising reveal, or an element that requires the viewer to take an interactive action.

• Spreading the Info Out

It's important to think about how to encourage people to watch a whole sequence. This needs to be done in a way that keeps viewers motivated throughout. Content creators should think about what will keep people interested and provide regular reminders of why they should stick around. 

One way to do this is to spread key information or moments where things get exciting throughout the sequence rather than putting all the best bits at the beginning. Another thing creators often do is use psychological hooks to get people interested in watching the whole sequence, like building anticipation for a final reveal or creating a narrative. 

Start Creating Your Best Stories Today!

We know it can be tough to create engaging Instagram Stories that your viewers will love. That's where BigMotion comes in. Our AI-powered video creation platform helps you:

• Generate professional-quality video content optimized for Stories
• Automatically add captions and engaging voiceovers
• Create consistent, branded content series
• Save time with automated video generation
• Maintain high engagement with AI-optimized content

Give BigMotion a try today, free of charge, and see how it can help you level up your Instagram Story game.