Featured image by RDNE Stock project

Wait, what? Is Instagram changing things up again?
Yes– and this time it’s not just about the algorithm. 

Instagram has made it clear that they no longer want to be just a social media platform. Now, they also want to be a part of the content creation process. On April 22, 2025, Instagram officially released Edits for both iOS and Android users. 

In this blog, we’ll explore what Edits is, how to use it, how it compares to other popular editing apps, and– most importantly– why it should be on every marketer’s radar.

 

What are Instagram Edits?

According to Instagram, “Edits is the new video creation app by Instagram that helps creators make great videos on their phone.”

So what makes it different from any other editing app out there?
Well, for starters– it’s built by Instagram, for Instagram. 

Because Edits is fully connected to the platform, all your content can be created and edited without ever leaving the Instagram ecosystem. This means less time wasted jumping between apps. It creates a simple and efficient solution for creators/marketers to create on-brand videos directly to Reels, Stories or the Feed. 

 

Key Sections of the App

Here is what you will see when opening up the app for the first time.

 

Ideas

The ideas section is where creators can organize and save creation ideas. It is split up into three parts: stickies, reels, and collections. 

Stickies: Digital notes where you can jot down reminders or inspiration.
Reels: A place to save draft videos or clips you are working on.
Collections: Organize stickies and reels into folders for different themes or campaigns. 

 

 

Inspiration

This section consists primarily of Instagram Reels to help spark inspiration for other creators. It’s tailored to you and your audience, focusing on trending content. 

Projects

Projects is your editing hub. Once you start a new video, all your progress will be saved here. This allows you to easily revisit older content and get it ready to publish.

 

 

Camera

In the camera section, Edits allows you to record directly in the app. Includes filter, audio adjustments and overlays.

 

Insights

Edits include a built-in insights section to track your content’s performance. Analytics are specifically only for Instagram Reels. It focuses on engagement metrics and performance insights. 

 

 

How Does Edits Compare to Other Tools?

 

Edits vs. Capcut 

Capcut is widely known for its variety of editing tools, including advanced transitions and deeper timeline editing. Similarly, Edits offers most of the basics but simpler. It’s designed for quick content that will be published straight to Instagram. 

 

Edits vs. iMovie

iMovie is a more traditional video editing tool. Available on both desktop and mobile. Works best for longer videos and storytelling. Edits, on the other hand, is designed mainly for short-form content and fast publishing. 

 

Edits vs. Canva

Canva, loved by many marketers, is known for its creative templates, user-friendly design aspects, and even some video editing tools. However, unlike Canva, Edits focuses mainly on video editing.

 

Why it Matters to Marketers

As social media marketers, we understand how much effort and planning goes into creating high quality video content. Outside of making a creator’s job easier, Edits creates a strategic tool for marketers. It helps: 

– Save time
– Keep content on-brand
– Boost reach

 

Limitations and Considerations

This app is not a replacement for deep editing software. This app is specifically created for Instagram content. Edits is not available on desktop; it is only a mobile app at the moment. It is still a work in process that will definitely see improvement and updates in the near future. 

That being said, for everyday social content, it will do the job. 

 

Final Thoughts

Instagram Edits is Meta’s latest move to keep content creation in-house. For marketers, Edits will be a helpful tool throughout the entire content creation process, from idea to post. 

So why not try it out? Download the Edits app and tell us what you think in the comments!

 

Author Bio:

Liliana Marquez is a current student at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Digital Marketing. Liliana was a 2025 intern with the National Institute for Social Media, where she had the incredible opportunity to enhance her marketing/social media skills throughout the summer.

Connect with Lili on LinkedIn!