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#Social Media
TechCrunch
TechCrunch
1w ago 18 views

Instagram's latest feature lets you go back see your watched Reels

Instagram introduced a Watch History feature for Reels, allowing users to revisit previously watched videos. This matters as it enhances user experience and aligns Instagram's functionality with TikTok.
Instagram's latest feature lets you go back see your watched Reels
A What happened
On October 24, 2025, Instagram announced the rollout of a Watch History feature for Reels, allowing users to revisit videos they have previously watched. This feature responds to user demand for easier access to lost content, particularly in situations where distractions or interruptions occur while viewing. Users can find the Watch History option under 'Profile' and 'Settings,' where they can sort their history by date, including options for the past week or month. Unlike TikTok's version, Instagram's feature offers more flexibility, allowing sorting by author as well. Additionally, users can remove specific Reels from their history, simplifying the retrieval process. This update aligns Instagram's Reels functionality more closely with TikTok, enhancing the overall user experience and reducing reliance on previous workarounds for recovering lost videos.

Key insights

  • 1

    User Demand

    The feature was highly requested by Instagram users.

  • 2

    Competitive Edge

    This update enhances Instagram's competitiveness against TikTok.

  • 3

    Enhanced User Experience

    Watch History simplifies finding previously viewed content.

Takeaways

The introduction of the Watch History feature marks a significant improvement in Instagram's Reels functionality, catering to user needs and enhancing the platform's competitiveness in the short-form video space.