New Delhi: From some reports, it has come to highlight that Instagram is quietly trying the auto-scroll feature, which will change the way users watch reels. This feature allows Reels to play one after another without using the user’s hands for scrolling. This feature hasn’t been rolled out yet on Instagram, but some of the creators already have access. It’s currently available to a limited number of creator and business accounts, especially in India. Suppose the user sees the option in the three-dot menu while watching the Reel. Once it turned on, the next video plays automatically after the current one ends, no tapping, no swiping, no effort at all.
First time, it might not seem like a big deal for the users, but for some people who spend a lot of time watching Reels, this small update could really shift the experience. Some of the users have said they didn’t even realize the feature was active until they noticed they’d watched several reels in a row without touching their phone.
On the one hand, it feels effortless and relaxed for the users; they can lean back and just let the videos keep coming up automatically, but on the other hand, it’s easy to lose track of time. Without the pause between swipes, users might end up watching more than users planned to, which, of course, is good news for Instagram. That extra time spent in the application means more ads viewed, more content consumed and more data collected about what users like. So while auto-scroll seems like a helpful tool, it’s also designed to keep users more engaged.
Instagram often tests latest features with the creators before deciding whether to release them to everyone. India is a common testing ground, since it’s one of the platform’s biggest and most active markets. In the past, early experiments here have included tools like Notes and music in carousels. This Auto-scroll appears to be the latest feature on Instagram.
There’s no official timeline yet for when this feature might be introduced in Instagram and made available for users. But if the test goes well, it could soon become a regular part of the Reels experience. If the users’ Reels start moving on their own, don’t worry about it; it’s not a glitch. Instagram might just be giving user thumbs a little break, whether users were ready for it or not.
