So you’re wondering: What is IGTV? Instagram has been the best place to post pictures for years — and now it is developing into the best platform to post videos with the launch of IGTV. In addition to uploading short, five-second clips to your story or one-minute videos to your feed, you can upload long-form videos to IGTV.

What is IGTV?

IGTV broadcasts vertical videos from creators that can run for an hour long. There is a standalone app available to download on the App Store, but videos are also available to watch from within the original Instagram app.

Just like the television, IGTV will start playing as soon as you open the app. Within seconds, you will be watching a video from someone you are already following on Instagram or from someone the app believes you would enjoy based on your interests.

You can also scroll through popular videos or videos from people you follow. You don’t even have to pause the content you are already watching in order to search for something better. It will continue playing in the background while you are on your search.

Even though the addition is relatively new, there are already thousands of videos on IGTV. There are beauty tutorials. There are music videos. There are news clips. There are sporting recaps. There is content for every interest.

If you enjoy watching, you can like any of these videos, comment on them, or send them to your friends through a message. Anything you can do on your standard Instagram app, you can also do on IGTV.

If you want to create your own videos instead of watching videos from everyone else, then becoming a creator is simple. All you have to do is tap on your icon beside the search bar, click next when it asks if you would like to create a channel, and start uploading your videos.

If you have a small channel, you will be able to upload videos that last ten minutes long. However, if you grow into a larger channel, you will eventually be able to post videos that are an hour long.

On IGTV, you are not limited. You can post any type of content you desire (as long as it does not go against guidelines). Whether you post funny videos with your circle of friends or upload hair and makeup tips, you might grow a bigger following than you ever imagined. You might draw the attention of a crowd.

Nowadays, more people are interested in watching amateur content created by ‘average people’ they consider relatable than traditional television filled with scripts and celebrities. This shift is the reason why IGTV has a good chance of spiking in popularity soon.

Some people have accused this app of competing with YouTube, the largest video site in the world. However, there are key differences between the two. They both bring something different to the table.

For one, there is no way to monetize videos or include advertisements on IGTV yet. However, this might change in the future since ads show up randomly while scrolling through your Instagram feed and while looking at your friends’ stories.

The other difference is the format. IGTV only allows vertical video because people are going to watch the content on their phones. This way, instead of tilting their phone to the side to make the video viewable, the content already appears in an easy to watch format as soon as it begins playing.

It’s easy to see more and more people are easing away from traditional television. They are choosing to get their entertainment online with the help of apps like IGTV. This recently released app is still trying to take off but it is the direction of the future. It is the form media will continue to take moving forward.