Ever scrolled through Instagram and found a Reel that says “Part 1,” only to realize part 2 is nowhere to be seen? Frustrating, right? That exact pain point is why the link reel feature on Instagram is suddenly the most talked-about update on the social media platform.
The ‘Linked Reels' feature lets creators link multiple reels together in a way that feels seamless for the viewer. Instead of guessing or searching for the next part, users now tap a simple button that carries them forward. It’s an evolution in storytelling, and it feels like Instagram finally caught up to what audiences have been asking for.
Instagram introduces link reels, and this also signals something bigger. It’s not just about convenience. It’s about making Reels bingeable, giving creators more control, and keeping Instagram closer to rival TikTok, which has been ahead in connecting content. This isn’t a small tweak in the app. This is part of the wider social media evolution shaping how we consume and create content today.
The link reel feature on Instagram allows you to create a series of videos that flow from one to the next. Imagine telling a story in chapters, running a product demo across multiple clips, or teaching a lesson step by step. Instead of leaving viewers to hunt through your feed, you now guide them with a single click.
Here’s how it works in practice. When you create a Reel, Instagram gives you the option to link a reel during the captioning stage. If you’ve already posted content, you can still link reels on Instagram by opening the three dots menu and activating the Instagram link a reel feature. Once you connect them, viewers see a Next button at the bottom of the video that leads straight to the next part.
It feels simple, but that’s the point. Social media trends are moving toward frictionless experiences. The ‘Linked Reels’ feature is Instagram’s answer to that demand, helping creators design smoother storytelling while helping audiences stay engaged longer.
Image Credits: Instagram & TechCrunch
You might wonder why this update is coming at this moment. The answer is TikTok. For years, TikTok has dominated the short video space by making it easy for viewers to follow multi-part content. People are used to tapping quickly from one video to the next without even thinking.
“Instagram closer to rival TikTok” has become a recurring theme in the platform’s updates. From Reels themselves to features like remixes, the social media platform has consistently borrowed from what works on TikTok. With Instagram introducing link reels, it is narrowing that gap further.
But there’s more at play. The reels linking feature also taps into broader social media marketing needs. Brands and creators want longer attention spans. Marketers want better metrics. Performance marketing thrives on engagement signals like watch time and retention. By helping creators link multiple reels, Instagram is aligning with what advertisers and creators both want: audiences that stick around.
Image Credit: Instagram Creators Account
How to link an Instagram reel is the question most people ask when hearing about this update. The answer is simple. Instagram has made the link reel feature on Instagram very straightforward, so creators don’t get lost in menus.
The steps are:
The ‘Instagram link a reel feature’ works the same way for both new uploads and existing content. The process only takes a few taps but makes your storytelling feel intentional and organized.
Reels have been one of Instagram’s most powerful tools for discovery. But let’s be honest, they often felt too fragmented. You could post a tutorial, but unless someone landed on your profile and scrolled, they might miss the follow-up. The link reel feature on Instagram changes how a Reels strategy is built.
Now, instead of planning isolated clips, you can map out a sequence. That might mean a five-part guide, a behind-the-scenes series, or even a campaign that unfolds across a week. Each part drives to the next, which keeps viewers invested. Longer watch sessions mean stronger engagement signals, which is exactly what the algorithm favors.
This is where social media marketing and performance marketing come in. If a viewer watches three or four parts in a row, they’re more likely to remember your message, engage with your brand, and eventually convert. The feature doesn’t just boost engagement. It improves outcomes across the entire funnel.
The link reel feature on Instagram is not happening in isolation. It is part of a wider shift in social media evolution. Platforms are no longer rewarding only viral moments. They are rewarding retention, loyalty, and structured content.
Think about the journey:
This update of Instagram introducing link reels, proves that social media trends are pushing platforms toward continuity. The audience expects it. Creators want it. Marketers need it. And platforms adapt because the competition between TikTok and Instagram makes it unavoidable.
Performance marketing lives and dies by numbers. Watch time. Completion rate. Click-throughs. Engagement. These are the signals that decide if a campaign worked or not. The link reel feature on Instagram plugs straight into this world.
Think about it. Instead of viewers watching a single clip and moving on, they now move through an entire sequence. More watch time means stronger intent signals. More linked clips mean more space for subtle calls to action. That directly improves campaign efficiency.
Performance marketers also care about cost per engagement. If audiences stay longer, the same budget works harder. Linking multiple reels makes campaigns feel structured, measurable, and easier to optimize. In a feed full of distractions, that structure is gold.
Social media marketing is about attention, but attention without retention rarely moves the needle. The link reel feature on Instagram helps turn fleeting views into sustained engagement. By linking reels on Instagram, brands and creators can design campaigns that unfold like stories instead of scattered posts.
Here’s why this matters for marketers:
This change fits perfectly with current social media trends. Audiences don’t just want quick flashes of entertainment. They want continuity. Instagram's introduction of link reels is part of a wider social media evolution, where platforms are rewarding content that keeps people engaged rather than content that spikes and fades.
The link reel feature on Instagram is not just another Instagram tweak. It’s a sign of where a short video is heading. Platforms know users want more than flashes of entertainment. They want flow. They want journeys.
This change shows how quickly social media platforms adapt to demand. Social media trends are moving fast, and continuity is becoming the new currency of engagement. The link reel feature on Instagram is Instagram’s answer. It keeps people watching, makes campaigns more measurable, and gives creators space to breathe.
For anyone watching the bigger picture, it’s also a marker of social media evolution. We’ve gone from static photos to stories, to short bursts of Reels, and now to connected narratives. Each step pulls audiences deeper into the experience.
Social media marketing and performance marketing both stand to gain. More retention. Better signals. Stronger conversions. By learning how to link an Instagram reel, creators and brands are not just keeping up with a feature. They are keeping pace with the future of content itself.
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