Instagram’s First Draft for Reels takes the pain out of editing

If editing Reels is the job you keep putting off, Instagram’s new feature is for you.

First Draft for Reels uses AI to turn your clips into a starting edit. It trims your footage, cuts silent pauses and picks an order for your clips. You then take that draft and polish it into the finished Reel.

It’s clearly aimed at people who don’t edit much, or haven’t had time to learn how. You’ll find it in the Instagram camera while recording, or by selecting several clips from your Reels gallery.

Two catches. It’s launching on iPhone first. And it lives in the main Instagram app rather than Edits, Instagram’s dedicated editing app, which surprised us. One of Instagram’s engineering leads has said it’s coming to Edits soon.

We’re pleased to see this. Reels are still one of the best ways to grow on Instagram, especially if you want to reach people who don’t follow you yet. Anything that makes them quicker to produce gets a thumbs up from us.

Will you let AI do your first cut?