Have you noticed that when you use your high end smartphone camera you record videos and the video appears low quality or pixilated on Instagram? No matter the resolution or editing, the platform will reduce the quality (surprisingly, depending on how popular your video is).
Here’s what you should know about Instagram video quality policies and how to prevent some common upload issues.
Instagram’s Video Quality Adjustment Based on Popularity
Instagram just confirmed we can’t always control how good video is on our cameras. Instead, the platform is able to adaptively adjust video quality based on the engagement metrics it encountered. Instagram’s head Adam Mosseri explained that videos with fewer views are showed at lowered quality to save resources while more popular videos get higher encoding that gives them sharper visuals.
- High-Quality Encodin for Popular Videos: Instagram automatically upgraded the encoding to higher quality if a video gains views rapidly.
- Basic Encoding for Lgow-Engagement Videos: The platform is set up so that videos with fewer views stay at a lower quality, a cost saving measure as the platform uses an amazing amount of storage.
If you are smaller creator with smaller follower’s then you are also likely to receive less video quality even if your video was shot and edited professionally.
Other Reasons Your Instagram Videos May Appear Blurry
But it’s not the only one. If you want to drive engagement, with Instagram, make sure to use the right format, because new formats can take some time for the Instagram’s algorithms to understand. Here’s what to check:
- Avoid HDR Format: Because Instagram’s algorithms don’t do well with HDR (High Dynamic Range) videos, you may see quality issues.
- For better compatibility, switch to SDR (Standard Dynamic Range).
Adaptive Video Format on Android
- Go to settings of the camera app.
- Check for “Quality”, or “Video Format.”
- If HDR is selected, turn it off.
Optiming Video Format in iPhone
- Settings > Camera > Record Video.
- Make sure HDR Video is toggle off for smooth playback on Instagram.
Final Thoughts
While smaller creators may seem like they are getting shortchanged, Instagram will continue to use high engagement taking content to reduce server strain. Instead of HDR, you can avoid quality issue by using SDR. As Instagram’s Mosseri suggests, creating engaging content is likely to result in better quality over time because more views means better quality upgrades. Keep creating, your reach and your content quality will improve together.