Instagram is adding a new editing tool to its Reels feature that automatically trims video clips down to their most engaging moments. The feature, called First Draft, is now rolling out to the iPhone app and is designed to give users a base cut that they can then refine with additional edits. The company announced the update on Tuesday, positioning it as a way to streamline the process of assembling a Reel from raw footage.
When a user selects multiple clips, each over a minute long, and taps the First Draft button, Instagram analyzes the footage to identify and remove pauses. The tool then combines the remaining snippets into a single Reel that is ready for further editing or direct sharing. According to Instagram, the feature works with multi-clip montages, talking-head videos, and day-in-the-life content.
The tool appears similar to Adobe’s Quick Cut feature, which uses AI to automatically combine clips based on a user prompt. However, Instagram has not confirmed whether First Draft relies on artificial intelligence. The Verge reached out to Instagram for clarification but did not receive an immediate response.
Users can access First Draft by opening the camera app in Instagram, filming a video, and then tapping the First Draft button. It is also available from the Reels gallery after selecting more than one clip. The feature is currently limited to iOS devices, with no word on Android availability.
The launch comes as social media platforms increasingly compete for creators’ attention by offering editing shortcuts. Meta, which owns Instagram, has been adding tools to reduce the friction of content creation, and First Draft continues that trend. For US users, the feature addresses a common pain point for mobile video editing, where trimming and arranging clips manually can be time-consuming.
While the tool provides a starting point, Instagram’s announcement does not detail the underlying mechanics or how it decides which parts of a clip are most important. The company’s example shows a user selecting multiple clips and receiving a condensed result, but specifics on the algorithm are not provided. As with other automated editing features, the output may still require manual adjustment depending on the content.
The Verge’s report did not include any user feedback or performance details for First Draft. No additional versions, pricing, or availability timelines were shared beyond the initial iPhone rollout and the feature’s description.
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