Social Rocket
Instagram is making it easier to record reply Reels on iPhone, but according to an industry report it is ending the linking of multi-part Reels. "Use as reference" overlays an existing Reel in the recording window as a movable template. From 28 October 2026 Instagram is expected to remove the feature for linking consecutive Reels. This is reported by Social Media Today on 15 October.
How reference recording works
For Reels under 90 seconds, you can select "Use as reference" from the three-dot menu in the iOS app. The clip then plays in a small window during your own recording. It can be paused, replayed and moved. A countdown helps you time reactions. For Android, the report does not yet name a launch date.
The feature is especially useful for reply, comparison and reaction videos. It is not an automatic approval to use third-party material in advertising.
New features in Edits
The video app Edits gains linkable songs and sounds, and savable "kits" made of design elements. Creators can use such kits to reapply recurring colour, text and effect styles more quickly. According to the report, new trend insights showing which topics work with your own audience are initially reserved for accounts with more than 10.000 followers.
Audio links are not general external website links. They lead to a piece of music or a sound. The changes complement the Carousel editor in Edits, which has already launched, and the AI assistant for video ideas.
Series links disappear: what brands need to plan
The Reels linking introduced by Instagram 2025 previously made it easier to navigate to the next episode. According to the industry report, it is to be removed from 28 October. The reasons for the decision and any possible new series feature are not confirmed.
For multi-part creator campaigns, clear episode numbering, consistent cover images and separate analysis of follow-on viewing are therefore recommended. For creator microseries, reach as well as usage rights and impact across several episodes remain relevant. For individual clips, Instagram Reel ideas and formats remain helpful.
For creators this is a mixed update: reactions and recurring design become easier, while direct series navigation may become more cumbersome.