News in Short

• Instagram has launched First Draft for Reels.
• The tool can automatically identify and trim pauses and silences.
• First Draft can work with single clips and multi-clip videos.
• Creators can reverse the automatic edits and make further changes.
• The feature is currently rolling out to iOS users.

Instagram has introduced a new feature designed to make editing Reels quicker. Called First Draft, the tool can automatically identify pauses and silences in videos and trim those sections to create a rough first edit.

The feature works directly inside the Instagram app, allowing creators to move from recording to an initial edit without relying on a separate video-editing app. Instagram is currently rolling out First Draft to iOS users.

Instagram First Draft Automatically Edits Reels

First Draft can analyse a video and identify moments where creators pause or remain silent while speaking to the audience. It then removes those sections to produce a more streamlined version of the clip.

Instagram says the feature aims to help creators get “past the starting point” of editing their Reels. Instead of manually going through a video to find pauses and trim them, creators can use First Draft to generate an initial version automatically.

The tool can also handle different types of content, including talking-head videos, multi-clip montages and day-in-the-life videos.

Creators Can Change the Automatic Edits

First Draft does not lock creators into the edits it generates. Instagram says all trims remain reversible, giving users control over the final Reel.

After reviewing the first draft, creators can reorder clips, remove individual edits, make further adjustments or start over. They can also move the video into Instagram’s full editor if they want to add more changes before publishing.

This means First Draft works more as a starting point rather than a replacement for Instagram’s existing editing tools.

How to Use Instagram First Draft

iPhone users can access the feature through Instagram’s Reels creation tools. To get started, open the Reels gallery, select one or more clips and tap the First Draft button at the bottom of the screen.

Instagram will then create a rough edit that users can review. They can either continue editing the Reel in the full video editor or publish it directly.

Users can also record a clip through Instagram’s camera and tap the First Draft button after recording.

For now, Instagram has only confirmed the rollout for iOS devices. The supplied information does not mention an Android release timeline.