Part 1. Types of Instagram Videos
Instagram offers a variety of video formats, primarily categorized by length, each with its own style and purpose. Below is a breakdown of the most popular types:
- Instagram Reels: Reels are Instagram's answer to TikTok—short, lively, and capped at 90 seconds. They are perfect for leveraging trending audio, effects, and text overlays to create visually engaging content. If your goal is to go viral quickly, Reels are one of the most effective formats for achieving that.
- Instagram Stories: Stories are vertical videos, limited to 15 seconds per clip, and disappear after 24 hours. They are ideal for behind-the-scenes content, quick updates, and interactive features. If you want to promote live streams, conduct polls, or use stickers and questions to boost engagement, Stories are a great choice.
- IGTV: If you need to create longer video content, IGTV might be the better option, allowing videos up to 60 minutes. This format is well-suited for in-depth tutorials, interviews, and vlogs. It's an excellent way to establish authority and build a deeper connection with your audience.
- Carousel Videos: Why settle for one video when you can share multiple? Carousel videos allow you to post several videos (or a mix of images and videos) in a single post. They are perfect for step-by-step guides, product showcases, or narrative-driven content. This format often leads to longer view times and higher engagement.
Before diving into creating Instagram videos, defining your content direction and determining which format aligns best with your strategy is essential. We recommend starting with Reels to experiment and gain traction. In the following sections, we'll walk you through the practical steps to create captivating Instagram videos!
Part 2. How to Make an Instagram Video: Step-by-Step Guide
Once you've chosen the right video type and strategically planned your Instagram content, here's a step-by-step guide to help you quickly dive into creating Instagram videos:
Step 1. Choose the Right Type of Instagram Video
Reels should be your go-to format if you aim for maximum reach and engagement. For daily updates, Instagram Stories are the most suitable. Looking to build deeper connections? Feed videos or IGTV might be your best bet.
Step 2. Plan Your Content
Jumping into video creation without a plan is a recipe for disaster—even a 15-second video needs a script. What's the purpose of your video? Or do you want to dedicate an entire account to videos generated using AI tools? For instance, you can leverage tools like MidJourney to create stunning visuals, turn AI-generated quirky animals or celebrity mimicry images into a viral video series, or even build your IP. The possibilities are endless!
Step 3. Create Videos for Instagram with Vidu AI
If you're creating Reels, Vidu AI is an excellent tool for generating short, creative videos in seconds. This Instagram video generator simplifies the creation by automatically producing high-quality videos from text, images, or reference images. It saves time through AI automation while maintaining visual consistency. Vidu AI offers three main features:
- Reference to Video: Create videos that stay true to your reference subjects, including characters, objects, and environments. You can also save frequently used references in My References for easy access.
- Image to Video: Turn static images into dynamic videos. Plus, you can set the first and last frames to control the video's start and end points.
- Text to Video: Simply describe your idea in text, and Vidu AI will transform it into a compelling video.
How to Use Vidu AI with Reference to Video:
Step 1: Go to the Vidu AI Create page or click the CREATE Now button on this page, and choose the reference to the video tool.

Step 2: Upload your reference images, video prompts, or prepared text.

Step 3: Choose your video duration (4 seconds or 8 seconds) and the level of motion.

Step 4: Once everything is set, click the Create button to generate your Instagram video.
Step 5: Within a minute, Vidu AI will complete your video. If you're satisfied with the result, you can export it and share it directly on Instagram without additional editing.

Step 4. Edit and Enhance Your Video
If you want to make your video more engaging and aligned with Instagram's aesthetic, consider adding extra effects, stickers, background music, or captions to perfect your creation.
Creating Instagram videos that stand out and drive engagement requires following basic strategies and best practices. In the next section, we'll dive deeper into tips for promoting your Instagram videos and maximizing their impact!
Part 3. Tips for Maximizing Engagement on Instagram Videos
Even the best videos won't perform well without a solid engagement strategy. Here's how to boost your impact:
- Write Compelling Captions: Keep them concise but impactful. For example, instead of saying, “Check out my new video,” try something like, “Guess what happened when I tried this viral trend?” A little curiosity can go a long way.
- Use Relevant Hashtags: Hashtags act like breadcrumbs, guiding viewers to your content. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to expand your reach. For instance, if you're posting a Reel about cats, consider hashtags like #AICats, #AIGeneratedCats, #FurryFriends, and #CatVideos.
- Post at the Right Time: Publish when your audience is most active—early mornings, lunch breaks, or evenings are often prime times. Use Instagram Insights to track when your followers are online and schedule your posts accordingly.
- Engage with Comments and Shares: Don't just post and disappear! Reply to comments, thank people for sharing, and even pin interesting comments to the top of your post. Engagement breeds more engagement, so show your audience some love.