Meta has made its Sharing to Reels widget for mobile applications available to all developers days after TikTok launched Direct Post. This new developer-facing feature makes it easy for third-party apps to submit films to its network. Like TikTok’s Direct Post, Sharing to Reels uses the video editing app community to produce additional material for Meta’s short-form video platform and TikTok rival.
Lightricks (Videoleap), Reface, Smule, VivaVideo, SNOW, B612, VITA, and Zoomerang participated in a restricted alpha test of Sharing to Reels in November. The business said it would expand the test to new partners in 2023 but did not provide a timeline.
Sharing to Reels is now accepting integration requests from apps that wish to let users export movies to Instagram Reels with a click. Before, users had to export the video from the third-party app to their device and re-upload it to Instagram Reels.
After creating and editing their film in the third-party app, users would press the share button and then the Instagram Reels symbol. They may then add audio, effects, narration, and stickers to their reel in Instagram Camera. They may also record or post segments to their video. Tap “Next” to add a caption, hashtags, location, or tags, then “Share” to post.
Meta claims early tester Smule reported a 150% boost in shared content after deploying the feature, which helped them generate more organic traffic. They didn’t reveal similar figures with its other alpha test partners. The feature’s ease and time-saving characteristics were highlighted, and users’ reels would be viewable through public recommendations on Instagram’s Reels and Explore tabs, increasing visibility. Meta added that users may contribute material via Stories and direct messaging.
Also launched last year, Facebook Reels allows third-party app video sharing. Meta didn’t announce any new partners with this extended availability; it’s exclusively accessible to developers. However, TTikTok’sDirect Post has worked with numerous high-profile programs, like Adobe’s Premiere Pro and Adobe Express, which allowed AI editing. Twitch, SocialPilot, and CapCut were other Direct Post partners.