David Bridges
In the early part of this year, amidst the temporary removal of TikTok and other apps owned by ByteDance from both Apple and Google’s app stores, Meta made a significant announcement. The company revealed its plans to launch a new, innovative video editing application specifically designed for Instagram creators. This new application, named Edits, is now gradually becoming available, as Meta seeks to capitalize on the current uncertainties surrounding TikTok’s future. The goal is clear: to attract more content creators to its platforms and enhance user engagement.
In its earlier listings for app stores, Edits touted advanced video editing tools that far surpass the capabilities currently offered within Meta’s existing applications. The in-app camera functionality allows creators to capture videos of up to 10 minutes, which can then be shared on Instagram in what is described as “enhanced quality.” Additionally, the app includes popular editing features, such as a green screen effect and access to Instagram’s vast music catalog, enabling a richer and more creative editing experience.
Aligning with Meta’s ongoing commitment to integrating artificial intelligence into its offerings, Edits includes several AI-powered features designed to elevate video creation. One such feature, called “animate,” enables users to transform a static image into a dynamic video. Another innovative tool, “cutouts,” allows video creators to isolate specific individuals or objects within their footage with remarkable precision tracking capabilities. Importantly, unlike ByteDance’s popular editing tool CapCut, Edits ensures that videos exported do not carry any watermarks, providing a clean, professional finish for Instagram videos.
Despite Edits launching months after CapCut returned to the US market, Meta is introducing unique features tailored to attract Instagram Reels creators. Among these are in-app post analytics, which provide valuable insights into engagement, and the ability to import previously saved audio tracks directly within the app. Furthermore, it appears that Instagram creators can look forward to even more specialized features in upcoming updates. According to a blog post from the company, the current version of Edits represents only “the first step” in its development, with plans to collaborate closely with creators to enhance functionality and features in the future.
Edits is currently available in select regions, marking an exciting new chapter for video editing on Instagram.
