Instagram Reels Trends in 2026: According to the report, videos related to beauty, makeup, fashion and latest trends are most popular among Indian audiences.

Instagram Reels Trends in 2026: Short video content is steadily growing in popularity in India and has now become an integral part of people's everyday digital habits. Meanwhile, a new study sponsored by Meta has revealed the type of content Indian users expect to watch most on Instagram Reels in 2026. The study, conducted by research agency IPSOS, involved over 4,000 people across 23 cities and rural areas in the country.

Beauty and fashion content became the biggest attraction

According to the report, videos related to beauty, makeup, fashion, and the latest trends are the most popular among Indian audiences. 52 percent of those surveyed said they regularly engage with this type of content. Lifestyle and fitness videos came in second, with 42 percent liking them. Comedy content was viewed and liked by 39 percent, sports videos by 38 percent, and travel content by 37 percent.

Reels becomes the most influential platform for creators

The study claims that Instagram Reels provides content creators with approximately 60 percent more engagement than 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 affected.

According to the report, Reels is no longer just a source of entertainment, but it's also influencing people's purchasing decisions. The study found that 81 percent of people first learn about new products and brands through Reels.

66 percent of consumers view content on Reels before considering a brand. Reels also influences 47 percent of final purchasing decisions. These statistics demonstrate that social media content has become a crucial part of e-commerce and digital marketing.

Gen Z most affected

The younger generation, particularly Gen Z, is emerging as a major driver of this change. According to the report, 84 percent of Gen Z users discover new products and brands through Meta's platforms. Furthermore, 89 percent of Gen Z users watch or engage with Reels daily. This clearly demonstrates that Reels has become a key source of information, entertainment, and shopping inspiration for millennials.

Rural India is also rapidly adopting Reels.

It was previously believed that the spread of video content was primarily limited to large cities, but the new report paints a different picture. 73 percent of rural users surveyed said they learned about new brands and products through Meta platforms.

Additionally, the percentage of users who watch videos daily was 98 percent in urban India and 94 percent in rural India. This difference is very small, indicating that rural and urban audiences are now consuming almost the same amount of digital content.

Increased impact in the automobile sector

The report also highlights the automobile industry. According to the study, Meta platforms accounted for 82 percent of searches for new cars and vehicle brands. They also accounted for nearly 50 percent of final car purchase decisions.

India's video boom is now nationwide.

Meta India officials say that the expansion of video content in India is no longer limited to metros. Video consumption is rapidly increasing across almost every segment, including Gen Z, women, and premium consumers. Therefore, it's more important than ever for brands to integrate content and commerce.

Highlights of the report

Beauty, makeup, fashion, and trends were the most popular Reels categories (52%). Lifestyle and fitness content was enjoyed by 42%. Comedy (39%), sports (38%), and travel (37%) also ranked among the top categories. 97% of users watch videos on Meta platforms daily. Daily video engagement was 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 has been shown to influence 81% of product discovery, 66% of brand consideration, and 47% of purchase decisions.