Instagram’s evolution toward video-first content is reshaping how brands build reach.
Reels vs posts on Instagram” is a hot topic among marketers—but what’s the smartest strategy in 2025?
- Use Reels to expand
- Use Posts to reinforce
And always track what works for your audience! Reels vs posts on Instagram isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. But the numbers and trends point clearly: Reels dominate in terms of reach, impressions, and discoverability in 2025.
In this article, we’ll walk through platform insights, real-world brand data, and usage trends to help you choose wisely for 2025.
What Are Instagram Reels?
Reels are Instagram’s short-form video feature, designed to captivate users with looping vertical clips that last up to 3 minutes. You can add music, filters, captions, and effects—all from within the Instagram app.
By default, any new video uploaded is now shared as a Reel, making it part of the broader push toward video-first engagement.
Why Reels Dominate in the Instagram Ecosystem
Here’s why Reels are so dominant in 2025:
According to Vidico, Reels account for 38.5% of all Instagram feed posts. Another report published in Joinstatus stated that, Instagram users now spend 50% of their time watching Reels.
If visibility is your main goal, Reels are one of the most effective tools available.
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What Are In-Feed Posts on Instagram?
These are the classic image-based or carousel-style posts that appear on your profile grid and in followers’ feeds. They’re static, often well-designed, and play a big role in brand storytelling and visual consistency.
Who Still Benefits from Feed Posts in 2025?
Not everyone is giving up on static content—and for good reason:
- Nalgene sticks with photo posts and still maintains over 112K followers and 100 K+ UGC tags
- Lancôme uses carousels to show off professional product visuals and build grid aesthetics
Carousels, in particular, are perfect for storytelling, tutorials, and showcasing multiple angles or features of a product.
Instagram Content Reach Comparison: Reels Vs Posts On Instagram
Let’s break down the data behind Reels vs posts reach on Instagram to see which format truly drives higher visibility. According to Vidico,
| Content Type | Average Reach Rate |
| Reels | 30.81% |
| Carousels | 14.45% |
| Photos | 13.14% |
When comparing Reels vs posts reach on Instagram, the numbers make it clear—Reels are the top performer in raw reach. They also:
- Generate 2x more impressions than static posts
- Engage 22% more users than standard videos
If your brand’s objective is visibility among both followers and non-followers, Reels give you the advantage.
Instagram Content Type Performance Table
The following Instagram content reach comparison highlights how Reels outperform carousels and static images across both reach and engagement.
| Content Type | Average Reach Rate (%) | Engagement Rate (%) |
| Reels | 30.81% | 1.23% |
| Carousels | 14.45% | 0.99% |
| Photos | 13.14% | 0.70% |
Average Reach Rate by Instagram Content Type
Description: This bar chart visually compares the reach performance of Reels, Carousels, and Photo posts. It clearly illustrates that Reels outperform the other formats by a wide margin, reaching over 30.81% of users on average, compared to 14.45% for carousels and 13.14% for photos. It supports the article’s argument that Reels dominate when it comes to discovery and visibility on Instagram in 2025.
What’s the Difference in Organic Reach Between Reels and Feed Posts?
This isn’t just a matter of format—it’s also about how Instagram’s algorithm serves your content.
How Reels Are Ranked according to Joinstatus:
Understanding the Instagram algorithm 2025 is crucial for content success—it heavily favors Reels for discovery and new audience reach.
- User activity: watch time, shares, likes
- Interaction history
- Focus on discovery and non-followers
How Posts Are Ranked:
- Engagement performance (likes, shares, comments)
- Past interactions with your profile
- Focus on existing followers
If you’re wondering about Reels vs posts reach on Instagram, the algorithm clearly favors Reels for audience expansion.
Are Reels Better Than Posts? What the Data Says
Let’s talk numbers and as per Vidico.
- Reels have an average engagement rate of 1.23%
- Carousels average 0.99%
- Static photos come in at just 0.70%
In line with current Instagram video engagement trends, Reels continue to drive stronger interactions and visibility than other formats. And if your goal is maximizing visibility and interaction, it’s no contest.
Want a real-world example? Joinstatus reported that Influencer Kal Brulhart (@karbrulhart) scaled her Reels from 0 to 45,000 views per video in just 10 months—all organically. According to Kal, 75% of her profile visitors now come from Reels.
It’s clear: in the battle of Reels vs posts reach on Instagram, Reels are leading the way.
Still, it’s worth noting that Reels saw a 50% drop in organic reach in 2023. Why? Not because they’re less effective, but because more creators flooded the space, raising the bar. According to Vidico, In 2024–2025, competition is higher, but optimized Reels still outperform.
IG Reels & Video Marketing Statistics
If you’re tracking Instagram video engagement trends, these 2025 stats make it clear why Reels should be a priority. Here’s a quick breakdown of the latest insights that matter in 2025 taken from Vidico:
- 80% of Reels are viewed with sound on
- 50% of Instagram users prefer “funny” Reels
- Reels ads reach 11.6% of the global adult population
- Instagram Reels ad load reached 22.2% in Q3 2024
These stats are part of the bigger picture. Reels vs posts on Instagram is not just a debate—it’s a shift in behavior and performance data.
Should I Post Reels or Feed Content?
The answer? Do both—strategically.
Tips to balance your formats:
- Post 3–5 Reels/week to increase visibility
- Share 1–2 feed posts or carousels/week to strengthen your brand aesthetic
- Repurpose your best Reels into carousels—or vice versa
- Use your analytics to test and iterate
Whether you’re leaning into Reels or not, this mix helps maintain consistency and growth.
Reels vs. Posts Instagram Strategy for 2025
To align with the Instagram algorithm 2025, brands are adapting a dual-format content plan that uses Reels for reach and Posts for retention. Here’s how top-performing brands are balancing their formats in 2025:
Use Reels for:
- Quick product demos
- Trending audio clips
- BTS and raw creator content
- Timely announcements
Use Posts for:
- High-res product photography
- Carousel-based UGC and reviews
- Polished event photos
- Visual branding and aesthetics
Both strategies work—it depends on your goals.
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Who’s the Final Winner in Reels vs Posts on Instagram?
After digging through all the data, it’s time to answer the big question: Who wins in the battle of Reels vs posts on Instagram?
Let’s be clear—Reels are the undisputed winner when it comes to raw reach, impressions, and discoverability. With an average reach rate of 30.81% (compared to just 13–14% for photos and carousels), and engagement rates nearly 2x higher, Reels dominate the feed. Add to that the algorithm’s preference for video content and discoverability among non-followers, and the advantage becomes undeniable.
However, does that mean feed posts are obsolete? Absolutely not.
In-feed posts (especially carousels) still play a crucial role in branding, storytelling, and audience retention. They help create a polished, consistent visual identity and work especially well for long-time followers who are already invested in your brand.
So, in the end:
- Reels win the race for reach and growth.
- Posts win for brand-building and loyalty.
That means the smartest content strategies in 2025 don’t pick sides. They balance both formats to cover the full marketing funnel—from discovery to conversion to community-building.
If you’re serious about maximizing Reels vs posts on Instagram, track performance weekly, test content types, and let your data lead the way.
Here is another relevant comparison of AWISEE about: “Instagram Reels vs Stories: Which Format Delivers Better Results for Brands?
