Meta is testing a series feature for Reels that has episodic videos in a dedicated hub on creator profiles, just like a playlist on YouTube. Select creators can now group old and new Reels together, for example as a 10-part baking tutorial, so viewers can discover them, watch in order, and pick up where they left off, TechCrunch reported on June 2, 2026. When audiences see individual episodes in their feed, they get the option to tap into the full series.
The timing here signals that they believe the creator economy’s future is not built on one-off viral moments anymore.
Why now
Meta has been watching YouTube’s dominance in long-form video. YouTube creators build sustainable income because audiences return repeatedly. The platform’s algorithm rewards watch time, and Reels are built for speed and rapid spread. A creator’s video either gets pushed into feeds or it does not.
For Meta, the business case is direct, where repeated viewing means repeated ad and stronger advertiser ROI. For creators, it is about retention. A viewer who watches one episode is more likely to return for the next. From chasing the algorithm to building an audience habit, this could signal a broader shift.
How it works
Creators get a new tab on their profile, and series appear there with their own discovery page like a mini-channel within Instagram. Viewers can save a series for later or opt into notifications when new episodes drop. You do not need to follow the creator to stay updated; you just save the series.
A creator with 500,000 followers might still only see 40,000 views per post on a typical day. With this feature, Meta is creating a way to keep audiences coming back.
What this means
Meta is signalling that the short-form video creator economy needs longer viewing cycles to be sustainable. Platforms that build income on viral moments are unstable by design, and creators never know what will land. Series is a way to create predictable audiences and recurring income.
For Indian creators (once it’s live here), who thrive next will not necessarily be the ones who nail individual viral videos but the ones with audience loyalty and repeatable content formats, like fitness trainers with 10-episode workout series or educational creators with course-like content.
