# Reels vs posts on Instagram

Compare Reels vs posts on Instagram and measure the video share of a public profile's recent content to guide format choices. Check your mix.

Choose a Reel for motion or a demonstration, a carousel when either still-image format works, and a single photo when extra slides add nothing. Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in October 2024 that carousels often get more reach than photos. Check your current mix before planning the next post.

Enter a public username to see the share of recent posts that are video, including Reels. Use that percentage to describe what you publish now, then use the format comparison below to decide what to make next.

## How to use it

1. Enter the public Instagram username you want to check.
2. The checker identifies video and still posts across up to 24 recent posts.
3. Read the video share, then use the comparison below to choose the format for your next idea.

### Do reels get more views than posts?

There is no single views winner. Carousels typically lead feed engagement among still formats, and Instagram head Adam Mosseri says carousels often get more reach than photos. Choose video when motion helps explain your idea, rather than treating views, reach and engagement as interchangeable.

### What are the disadvantages of reels?

The practical trade-off is the filming and editing your idea needs. Before committing, list the shots, on-screen explanations and edits required. Sketch the same idea as a carousel, too. If images communicate it clearly, Mosseri's carousel advice gives you a reason to keep that option rather than making video by default.

### Why reels instead of posts?

Choose a Reel when viewers need to see movement or a process. Show the starting problem, demonstrate the action and finish with the result. Choose a carousel when the useful information is a sequence of images or comparisons. The format should serve the explanation, not dictate what you create.

### How to get the maximum reach on reels?

For an image-based idea, a carousel with music gives you a route into the Reels tab. Mosseri advises adding music so carousels are eligible for video experiences. Select a useful image sequence, put the slides in a clear order and add music that fits, rather than forcing the idea into video.

### Should everything be a Reel?

No, keep still-image formats when they explain the idea better. Use a carousel for comparisons or a sequence, and a single photo when another slide would add nothing. Mosseri's advice specifically supports choosing a carousel over a photo when either format would work.

### What does the Instagram Reels share checker count?

The checker calculates the share of video posts, including Reels, among up to 24 recent public posts. A carousel counts as one post. The worked example below shows the calculation: divide the number of video posts by the total number of posts, then multiply by 100.

### Does the checker need my password?

No, the checker uses a public Instagram username without an Instagram login. Ganicly never asks for your password. Tools and the free scan reuse the same public profile data for up to 6 hours, so checking the same username during that period shows the same numbers. Free tools keep no visitor history.