IGTV (InstagramTV) has revolutionized the use of videos on Instagram, allowing users and brands to share long-form content which goes far beyond the traditional minute allowed for standard posts. IGTV is presented as a flexible solution for creators, influencers, and businesses looking to build an active audience through original videos, educational videos, tutorials, interviews, and much more. In this article, we explain How to create an IGTV channel, its requirements, best practices, and strategies to make the most of this valuable tool, integrating the best recommendations and latest features you should know.
What is IGTV and what are its advantages?
IGTV It is Instagram's commitment to long-form video, allowing you to share vertical and horizontal videos of between 1 minute and up to 60 minutes (depending on the upload method). It allows you to host and consume quality multimedia content, being viewed both in the IGTV application itself and from the Instagram's main appSince its launch, IGTV has become increasingly integrated into the Instagram user experience, offering creators and brands unique opportunities to connect with their followers, increase engagement, and strategically position their content. If you want to optimize the quality of your videos for IGTV, we recommend checking out Our guide to improving IGTV videos.
The main advantages of IGTV include:
- Extended duration: Allows videos of up to 60 minutes when uploading from a computer and 15 minutes from a mobile device, much longer than the 60 seconds of the feed or the 15 seconds of stories.
- Vertical and horizontal format: Designed for mobile consumption, although it can now also be used in horizontal orientation (16:9).
- Native integration: Accessible from both the Instagram app and a standalone app for those who want to manage IGTV exclusively.
- Possibility of series: Videos can be grouped into thematic series, similar to playlists on other platforms like YouTube.
- Clickable linksUnlike standard posts, IGTV allows you to add clickable links in your video description.
- Advanced analytics: Allows you to monitor views, comments, likes, audience retention, and other key data.
Technical requirements and considerations for uploading videos to IGTV
Before you start creating a channel or uploading your first video, it is essential to know the IGTV requirements To ensure the best user experience and avoid formatting errors:
- Minimum video length: More than 1 minute.
- Maximum duration: 15 minutes from mobile, 60 minutes from computer (only verified accounts or those with many followers can reach the maximum).
- Format: MP4.
- Aspect ratio: Minimum 4:5 for vertical, maximum 9:16 (standard vertical) or 16:9 for horizontal.
- Minimum resolution: 720 pixels.
- frame rate: At least 30 fps.
- Maximum file size: 650 MB for videos up to 10 minutes; 3,6 GB for videos up to 60 minutes.
- Cover image: PNG or JPG. Instagram recommends a 1:1,55 ratio, although 9:16 is the standard for Stories and usually looks perfect.
For those who wish to share the video preview on their profile, Instagram adapts the cover to a 4:5 resolution, so it is recommended do not include important elements in the borders from image.
How to create an IGTV channel?
IGTV integrates directly into your Instagram account, so anyone can become a creator and upload original videos to their own channel. The channel creation process is simple and can be done from the main Instagram app, the IGTV app, or the web version. You can choose the method that best suits you:
1. Create an IGTV channel from the IGTV app
- Download the IGTV app from Google Play for Android or the App Store for iOS.
- Sign in with your Instagram account (it will automatically recognize you).
- On the main interface, tap the gear icon to access your profile.
- Click on “Create Channel”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions and tap “Next” until the process is complete.
- Your IGTV channel is ready to start uploading videos!
In some cases, IGTV identifies your account and you only need to tap once to activate the channel.
2. Create an IGTV channel from the main Instagram app
- Open Instagram and go to the home screen.
- Tap the IGTV icon (usually located in the top right corner, next to the DM or Explore icon, depending on interface updates).
- Tap the settings (gear) icon.
- Click “Create Channel” and follow the on-screen steps.
- Once you complete the process, your personal IGTV space will appear on your profile.
3. Create an IGTV channel from the Instagram website
- Accede to Instagram.com from your browser, log in with your account.
- Go to your profile and locate the IGTV tab.
- Select “Upload” to begin the process.
- Add the video, cover, title and description.
- You can choose to share a preview on your Instagram profile and/or your linked Facebook page.
- Click “Publish” and your video will be uploaded to your IGTV channel.
How to upload videos to IGTV step by step?
Uploading content to IGTV is simple and can be done from the Instagram app, IGTV, or the web. Here's the most detailed and up-to-date procedure:
- Click on the “+” symbol from the main app or from IGTV, and select the video you want to share.
- Select the video typeIf your video is longer than 60 seconds, Instagram will offer you the option to share it as a “Long Video” on IGTV.
- Choose the cover: Swipe the image at the bottom to select a frame from the video or tap the “+” icon to upload a custom cover.
- Fill in the required fields: Title, description (you can add clickable links and relevant hashtags).
- Optional: Select “Add to Series” if you want to organize your video into a themed series.
- Share the preview: You can enable this option to show the first 60 seconds in your feed and allow users to access the full video on IGTV.
- Publish: Your video will be available on your IGTV channel and, if you've set it up, on your feed and Facebook.
extra recommendations:
- From both the app and the web, you can drag and drop video files to the upload area.
- Instagram allows you to schedule IGTV videos using the method from mobile or web.
- The description admits up to 30 hashtags and external links, which increases the visibility and potential traffic to your website.
Best practices and tips for success on IGTV
In addition to the purely technical steps, there are strategies and tricks that improve the reach, engagement, and quality of your IGTV posts. Here we've rounded up the most useful and up-to-date recommendations:
- Always choose vertical format whenever possible, as it's better suited for mobile devices (9:16). If you have horizontal recordings, use striped templates or edit the video to make it display correctly.
- Add subtitles to all your videos: Most users watch videos on social media without sound. Subtitles increase retention and accessibility.
- Captures attention in the first few seconds: Introduce the topic, a surprising fact, or a teaser that generates curiosity.
- Don't abuse the durationAlthough you can upload long videos, content between 2 and 5 minutes typically gets better engagement. Only use the maximum length if your content requires it.
- Beware of qualityMake sure the video has a good resolution, isn't pixelated, and the audio is clear. Consider using external microphones or headphones for recording.
- Take advantage of custom cover images to highlight your channel and content in feeds, and make sure the design doesn't cut off important information.
- Includes clickable links in the description to drive traffic to your website, online store, or other networks. It's one of the few ways to get external visitors from Instagram.
- Use relevant hashtags: IGTV gives you the opportunity to position your content in searches, so select keywords specific to your niche.
- Share the preview on the feed: This will significantly increase the reach and visibility of your videos.
- Promote your IGTV video in Stories and take advantage of the direct link function (swipe up) if you have the option.
- Create thematic series to group related videos, making them easier to follow and increasing viewing time.
- Analyze statistics On IGTV: Review retention, views, likes, and comments metrics to adjust your strategy and improve future videos.
Content ideas for a successful IGTV channel
If you have questions about what kind of videos to publish On IGTV, here's a list of ideas recommended by top marketers and content creators:
- Interviews and collaborations: Invite industry experts or colleagues for lively discussions and debates on current topics.
- Tutorials and step-by-step guides: Show how to use products, digital tools, or solve common problems your followers face.
- Videos of tips, tricks and hacks for your audience.
- Short classes or masterclasses: offers short courses or workshops on topics of interest.
- Answers frequently asked questions of your community.
- Unboxing and reviews of products.
- Day by day or "Behind the scenes": Share your creative process, your company life, or details of your daily work.
- Product or service launches and previews exclusive to your IGTV audience.
- Storytelling: Tell the story of your brand, your values or personal experiences.
- Book, series, and movie recommendations related to your sector.
How to monetize and promote your IGTV channel?
Instagram has been incorporating monetization features on IGTV, allowing certain creators and brands to include ads on their videos and participate in revenue-sharing programs. While access to monetization is subject to follower and engagement requirements, it is possible to leverage IGTV as a tool for promotion, sales, and lead captureTo expand your reach and learn how to better manage your videos, we recommend checking out tools to improve storytelling in your videos.
Among the options to monetize and promote your channel are:
- IGTV Advertising (for approved creators).
- Clickable links to redirect traffic to products or purchase pages.
- Collaborations with brands and sponsored mentions.
- Create exclusive content to encourage follow-up and loyalty from your community.
- Analyze statistics On IGTV: Review retention, views, likes, and comments metrics to fine-tune your marketing strategy.
How to organize and enhance your IGTV channel with series, hashtags, and recurring content
One of the most powerful features of IGTV is the ability to create series, grouping videos that follow a common theme. This makes it easier for users to find the content they're most interested in and follow a logical sequence of videos.
- When you upload a video, select “Add to Series” or “Create New Series.”
- The series title and description should be clear and contain keywords relevant to SEO ranking.
Series organization works similarly to playlists on other platforms and is ideal for tutorials, interviews, recurring shows, and more. You can also improve channel visibility by using tools for managing visual content on social networks.
Also, use specific hashtags for your brand, for each series, and for each video, making it easier for new users to discover them. Hashtags can be classified as:
- Content hashtags, which define the main theme.
- Branded Hashtags.
- Industry hashtags or sectoral.
- Niche Hashtags, aimed at a specific audience.
A good strategy is to use between 12 and 15 hashtags, combining popular and niche ones, to appear in both broad and specific searches.
How to analyze your IGTV channel's performance and optimize your videos
Measuring results is key to growing on IGTV. You can access the advanced statistics for each video by clicking on the three dots next to the interaction icons and selecting "View information." Here you'll find:
- Number of views and audience retention.
- and total comments.
- Average viewing duration (key information to know if your video is engaging).
- Drop charts that show when users abandon the content.
This data will help you understand which topics, formats, and lengths work best, as well as identify areas for improvement for future videos.
How to leverage IGTV in your digital marketing strategy
IGTV is more than a video platform: it's a powerful tool for digital strategyImprove your brand presence, attract qualified traffic, boost engagement, and complement other social media marketing efforts. Here are some recommendations for integrating it into your plan:
- Share sneak peeks or previews on IGTV before other platforms to reward your most loyal community.
- Launch promotions, raffles, or exclusive discounts for IGTV followers.
- Use direct links to capture leads, sell products, attract subscribers or direct users to other networks.
- Combine IGTV with Stories, Reels, and feed posts to create cross-campaigns and increase your reach.
IGTV FAQs and Troubleshooting
Can I upload horizontal videos to IGTV? Yes, Instagram now allows videos in horizontal format (16:9). You should edit them beforehand to maintain quality and avoid cropping.
Why is my video not showing in good quality? Make sure it meets the size and format requirements, upload from a strong Wi-Fi connection, and avoid excessive compression.
Can I add automatic subtitles? IGTV doesn't automatically generate captions, but you can edit and embed them in your video, or use external tools to create them before uploading.
How do I edit or delete an IGTV video? Go to your channel, select the video, and tap the three dots to edit details, change the cover art, or delete it permanently.
Is there a limit to the number of videos on IGTV? No, you can upload as many videos as you want.
How do I share an IGTV video to Stories? Simply share the video link from the share option and select “Add video to your story.”
Now that you know in depth How to create an IGTV channel, the requirements, best practices, creative ideas, and tips to boost your presence, you're ready to take the plunge and unleash the full potential of this tool. IGTV is a differentiator for those who want to stand out and genuinely connect with their audience through long-form video, generating value and visibility whether you're a creator, brand, or business.