Instagram Launches First Draft: Reels Can Now Be Edited in Seconds

Instagram has introduced a new feature called First Draft that automatically edits raw footage for Reels in less than 10 seconds. The tool trims unnecessary footage, removes long pauses and combines selected clips into a rough cut, taking the most tedious part of the editing process off users’ hands.

The feature is already gradually rolling out to iPhone users and works directly within the Instagram app. First Draft can be launched through the built-in camera while recording or accessed through the gallery after selecting several existing videos.

The automation does not mean creators lose control over the final result. All changes can be undone, while the generated edit can be manually refined by adjusting the timeline, rearranging clips, adding music and text, or editing individual scenes before publishing.

The feature could be particularly useful for videos with a large amount of raw footage, such as talking-head videos, “day in the life” content and other Reels that typically require creators to manually cut pauses, mistakes and unusable takes.

The arrival of First Draft continues Instagram’s push to make content creation easier. In many cases, users will no longer need to export raw footage to third-party editing apps such as CapCut or Adobe Firefly, as basic editing can now be done directly within the social network.

First Draft is part of a broader series of Instagram updates aimed at creators. The platform previously introduced Replace Audio, which allows users to change background music in already-published posts without losing engagement metrics. Instagram is also testing a feature that would allow related videos to be grouped into structured episodic series.

The new feature reflects a broader trend in the short-form video industry, with social platforms increasingly automating the technical side of content production and giving users more time to focus on creativity.

Instagram has not yet confirmed whether artificial intelligence is directly involved in identifying which parts of a video should be removed. However, First Draft’s approach fits the broader evolution of video-editing tools: handing routine tasks over to algorithms and turning complex editing into a few simple steps.

For Instagram, it is also a way to keep creators within its own ecosystem. The more filming and editing tools available directly in the app, the less reason users have to turn to third-party editors.