Instagram Introduces Watch History for Reels, Enhancing User Video Retrieval

Instagram has introduced a new "Watch History" feature for Reels, allowing users to revisit previously watched videos without saving them manually. This feature, announced by Instagram head Adam Mosseri, lets users sort their watch history by date, author, or account, and also remove specific Reels from the list, offering more flexibility than TikTok's similar feature. Instagram's update follows user demand for an easier way to find lost or rewatched content and aligns its Reels experience more closely with TikTok, which already offers a watch history option. Meanwhile, YouTube has launched a digital wellbeing tool allowing users to set daily time limits for browsing Shorts, aiming to curb excessive viewing and promote healthier screen time habits. When users reach their set limit for Shorts, the app pauses further browsing for the day, with plans to extend this feature to parental controls later this year. These moves by major platforms reflect a growing focus on user control over video consumption and digital wellbeing.