Meta Introduces Long-Awaited Pause Feature for Instagram Reels

Meta Platforms is currently testing a highly anticipated pause feature on Instagram Reels, enabling users to start and stop videos with a single tap. This new functionality signifies Meta’s strategic efforts to capitalize on the uncertain future of TikTok in the United States, especially following the app’s temporary unavailability earlier this month.

TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, is facing potential bans, with a crucial deadline set for April 5. The app is also currently inaccessible on both the Apple and Google app stores, further complicating its position in the U.S. market.

The pause feature is being rolled out to a limited group of users worldwide, although Meta has not provided a timeline for a broader release. Previously, Instagram users had to press and hold the screen to pause Reels, a more cumbersome process compared to TikTok’s one-tap pause. Until now, tapping on the screen would only mute the audio while allowing the video to continue playing. However, recent reports confirm that users can now pause Reels with a single tap.

The demand for a pause button has been vocal among users, with many taking to social media to express their frustrations. One user on platform X (formerly known as Twitter) remarked, “Hello @instagram, can I please request a pause button on reels?? sincerely, a grieving former TikTok scroller,” during TikTok’s brief downtime earlier this month.

In addition to the new pause feature, Meta announced plans to launch a video editing app named Edits, set to debut in February. This app aims to compete directly with ByteDance’s CapCut editing software, further positioning Meta in the short-form video landscape.

Moreover, Meta is reportedly incentivizing creators to promote Instagram on platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube Shorts, as they strive to enhance their competitive edge.

Following the announcement of these developments, Meta’s stock saw a slight increase on Thursday, a day after the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that exceeded analysts’ expectations on both revenue and profit.

During a call with analysts, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed confidence in the future of Instagram Reels, stating, “We’re going to learn what’s going to happen with TikTok, and regardless of that, I expect Reels on Instagram and Facebook to continue growing.”