Instagram Reels Trends in 2026: The popularity of short video content is continuously increasing in India and it has now become an important part of people’s everyday digital habits. Meanwhile, a new study sponsored by Meta has revealed what kind of content Indian users like to see most on Instagram Reels in 2026. This study was conducted by research agency IPSOS in which more than 4,000 people from 23 cities and rural areas of the country were included.

Beauty and fashion content became the biggest attraction

According to the report, videos related to beauty, makeup, fashion and latest trends are most popular among the Indian audience. 52 percent of the people surveyed said that they regularly engage with such content. After this, videos related to lifestyle and fitness came second, which were liked by 42 percent people. Whereas comedy content was seen and liked by 39 percent people, sports related videos by 38 percent and travel content by 37 percent people.

Reels becomes the most influential platform for creators

The study claims that Instagram Reels provides approximately 60 percent more engagement to content creators compared to other short video platforms. This means that viewers not only watch videos but also participate more actively through likes, comments and shares.

Purchasing decisions are also being affected

According to the report, reels are no longer just a source of entertainment but are also influencing people’s purchasing decisions. The study found that 81 percent people get their first information about new products and brands through reels.

66 percent of consumers view related content on Reels before considering a brand. Reels also influence 47 percent of final purchasing decisions. These figures show that social media content has now become an important part of e-commerce and digital marketing.

Gen Z most affected

The young generation, especially Gen Z, has emerged as the biggest part of this change. According to the report, 84 percent of Gen Z users discover new products and brands through Meta’s platforms. Not only this, 89 percent of Gen Z users watch or join Reels daily. It is clear from this that reels have become a major source of information, entertainment and shopping inspiration for the youth.

Rural India is also rapidly adopting reels

Earlier it was believed that the expansion of video content was mainly limited to big cities, but the new report presents a different picture. 73 percent of rural users surveyed said that they got information about new brands and products through Meta platforms.

Apart from this, the number of users watching videos daily was recorded at 98 percent in urban India and 94 percent in rural India. This difference is very less which shows that now rural and urban audiences are watching almost the same digital content.

Impact increased in automobile sector also

The automobile industry has also been mentioned in the report. According to the study, the share of meta platforms in searches for new cars and vehicle brands has reached 82 percent. At the same time, almost 50 percent impact was seen in the final decisions of buying a car.

India’s video boom now across the country

Meta India officials say that the expansion of video content in India is no longer limited to metros only. The habit of watching videos is increasing rapidly in almost every segment including Gen Z, women and premium consumers. In such a situation, it has become more important than ever for brands to work together by combining content and commerce.

Highlights of the report

Beauty, makeup, fashion and trends were the most popular reels categories (52%). Lifestyle and fitness content was liked by 42% people. Comedy (39%), sports (38%) and travel (37%) were also in the top categories. 97% of users watch videos on Meta platforms daily. Daily video engagement was recorded at 98% in urban areas and 94% in rural areas.

89% of Gen Z users engage with Reels every day. 84% of Gen Z users discover new products and brands through meta platforms. Reels delivers approximately 60% more creator engagement than other short video platforms. Reels influenced 81% of product discovery, 66% of brand consideration, and 47% of purchase decisions.

Also read:

AI Next Big Technology: How dangerous will quantum computers prove to be in the future, how will they hack encrypted systems?

A shocking case has come to light from the house of famous YouTubers Lakhan Arjun Rawat and Neetu Bisht, which has created a stir on social media. Recently he shared a vlog, in which such actions of his cook were revealed which left the entire family shocked. It is being told that the cook had been spitting in the kitchen for several months, due to which everyone’s health was deteriorating.

Cook kept spitting in the sink for 5 months

In a recently published vlog, Neetu Bisht revealed in her vlog that her cook used to spit in the kitchen sink while cooking. He used to spit in the sink after consuming gutkha, the splashes of which would reach the utensils and food. Initially they did not believe it, but when they saw everything on CCTV, everyone was shocked. All this was going on for about 5 months and they were not even aware of it.

Lakhan Arjun told that he usually does not share such things, but this matter was related to health, so he made a video. In the video, Neetu’s mother-in-law scolds the cook and says that because of him the whole family was falling ill. Especially Neetu was having stomach problems for some time, which is now being linked to this incident.

Also read: Michael is earning more than ‘Dhurandhar 2’, ‘Bhoot Bangla’ made the highest collection at the box office on Wednesday

The family shifted to another house

After this incident, the family has shifted to another house for some time. He says that he will not go back until his mind becomes calm. This matter is becoming increasingly viral on social media. Seeing this, many people are advising to take precautions in their homes too, like installing cameras in the kitchen and keeping an eye on the staff. Apart from this, many people say that this is all for views, although some people expressed concern over this.

Also read: ‘What a compulsion it must have been’, reel video of ‘Aashiqui’ fame Rahul Roy with content creator, users got upset

Famous comedian Zakir Khan has recently spoken openly on the ongoing news regarding his break. Actually, for the last few days it was being discussed on social media that he has been away from work due to ill health. These news had made his fans very worried. Many people were praying for him and asking questions about his health. Now Zakir Khan himself has come forward and declared all these things wrong.

“There is no disease”
He clearly said that the news circulating on the internet is not true. Zakir told that he does not have any major disease. He said that every person faces minor problems, but there is no such serious problem due to which he has to undergo treatment for a long time. He assured the fans that his health is fine and there is no need to worry.

The real reason for taking a break from standup came to light
According to the report of Times of India, Zakir Khan also told that he has taken a break from the standup show on his own will. The reason for this is not his health, but his preparation for new work. He said that he has got many new opportunities to write and he wants to focus on these projects. He was not able to get time due to continuous stage shows. Therefore, he thought that he should wait for some time and work on his new ideas and stories.

“I am not disappearing”
He told his fans in a loving manner that he is not disappearing completely. This is just a short break so that he can come back with better content. After his statement, fans heaved a sigh of relief. Now it is clear that Zakir Khan’s break is not due to any illness, but to prepare for new and better work.

Celebrities Photo Gallery

Social media platform Instagram has further tightened its content safety rules for children. Now users aged 13 to 17 years will see only that content, which will be light, safe and age appropriate like PG-13 films. The purpose of this change is to prevent obscene, dangerous or wrong content from reaching children.

Instagram’s parent company Meta said that from now on all Teen Accounts will automatically be kept in ’13+’ mode, that is, users who are below 18 years of age will not be able to change this setting without their parents’ permission.

What will change now?

1. Users aged 13 to 17 years will no longer see content like alcohol, tobacco, drugs, violence, abusive language and dangerous stunts.

2. Teenagers will no longer be able to follow accounts that have been deemed adult or inappropriate. If you are already followed, then their posts and messages will also be blocked.

3. Instagram’s AI system will now work according to this age filter, so that any adult or inappropriate response does not reach teenagers.

Parents will also get control

According to the information given by Meta,
1. Now parents will also get more control over the app. If they want, they can enable ‘Strict Settings’ for their child’s account, which will show more limited content.

2. Parents can report any post or video that they feel is inappropriate for their child.

In Meta’s survey, parents said it was helpful.

In the last few years, many reports had come out regarding the mental health of teenagers, bad influence and access to obscene content on social media. Keeping this in mind, Instagram has made this important change. In a survey conducted by Meta, 95% of parents believed that this new system will prove to be safe and helpful for children. And 90% of parents said that this will help them better understand what their children are seeing on social media.

This step by Instagram is a positive and necessary initiative towards the online safety of children. Now this app will not only be an entertainment platform, but will also become a space where children will get age-appropriate positive and safe digital content.

Also read:- Congress unhappy with High Court’s stay on OBC reservation in Telangana, preparing to challenge in Supreme Court