Instagram tests locked reels that can be accessed with secret codes

Instagram appears to be quietly testing locked reels that viewers would have to unlock with a code and a provided hint. The feature is a simple way to increase engagement with the creator’s content, but it could also offer creators and celebrities a way to share exclusive reels with their most dedicated fans, who are more likely to know the answer to hints. For example, a creator may lock a reel with the hint, “my birthday” or “my dog’s name” in order to share exclusive content with loyal followers. The Meta-owned social network was spotted testing the feature on its Design account, where it shared a locked reel that prompts viewers to “Enter secret code.” The hint for the code is “1st # in the caption.” In this case, the code is “threads” — a reference to the first hashtag mentioned in the caption. Once you unlock the reel, you’ll see a banner that says “coming soon,” which appears to be the Design account’s announcement that it’s launching a profile on Threads. Instagram did not r ... Read full article.