Instagram Tests A 'Video Scrubbing' Feature

Instagram is testing a new feature that allows users to scrub through videos to more easily find the parts that interest them more.

Instagram limits the length of videos on its platform to a short 3-60 seconds, and that makes it ideal for quick video-viewing on the go. The short length also removes the necessity for video controls. In theory, that is.

One of Instagram’s most-requested features has been video controls other than play and pause, and up until now, these have only available within IGTV. This may be changing now, as a new video scrubbing feature was spotted recently. Serial social media feature-spotter – Jane Manchun Wong – Tweeted the feature earlier this week.

Instagram is testing video seekbar pic.twitter.com/gyIZZhrh2y
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) March 27, 2019

There is no news as to when the feature would be rolling out to everyone, but according to some users it’s already available on the latest Instagram Beta update. This could mean that a wider release is imminent. As is, the feature is a bare-bones implementation that certainly could use some refining, but Instagram also needs to think about the repercussions.

Another day, another tested feature on Instagram. True to form, @wongmjane spotted a new “video seekbar,” the ability to scrub through videos.

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As Wong explains, “It’d be a plus if it shows the frame preview while scrubbing through the video,” but this “might cause some performance regressions” she says. But “it’s something to think about UX wise.”

My question would be whether the new feature could be a sign that Instagram is about to increase its maximum video length. What do you think?